According to the March of Dimes, stillbirth occurs in approximately 1 of 200 pregnancies. Other agencies estimate the rate to be higher at 1 of 115 births. Exact numbers are not known due to the lack of standardization in hospital reporting.

Stillbirth is defined as the death of a fetus after it has reached 20 weeks of gestation; prior to the 20-week threshold, the event is referred to as a miscarriage. The stillborn infant is born without the baby making any attempt at respiration, including the lack of a beating umbilical cord. Even a postterm baby who dies one minute prior to birth is considered a stillborn.