Emerging Policy and Programmatic Insights on Stillbirths in India: Review and Contextualisation of Unpublished Data and Research Findings, Presented at a National Conference

Abstract Stillbirth Society of India conducted its third national conference in Lucknow, India, bringing together oral presentations and abstracts from diverse regions. Evidence from these presentations and workshops was synthesized into a narrative review highlighting emerging policy and programmatic perspectives on stillbirth in India. The review demonstrated substantial heterogeneity in stillbirth burden and identified major medical causes, including hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, anemia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and congenital anomalies. Vulnerable populations included young multiparous women, women with inadequate antenatal care, rural populations, and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds. Emerging innovations included physiological interpretation of cardiotocography, early pregnancy biomarker panels, predictive ultrasound parameters, angiogenic markers in preeclampsia, third-trimester group B streptococcus screening, and phone-based follow-up of high-risk pregnancies, alongside emphasis on respectful maternity services, bereavement support, placental examination, and clear communication with families.