How is fetal death defined?

Fetal death is defined by the absence of signs of life after a specific gestational age, typically considered to be around 20 weeks of gestation. This includes the cessation of breathing, heartbeats, and movements. When a fetus has died, there are no physiological parameters indicating life, which is critical for diagnosis. The detection of heartbeats, breathing, or fetal movements are key indicators of viability; thus, their absence confirms fetal demise.

In contrast, delivery with a detectable heartbeat does not indicate fetal death and showcases that the fetus is still alive at the time of delivery. The presence of visible deformities does not inherently mean that the fetus has died; many deformities are compatible with life. Finally, the presence of congenital anomalies also does not equate to fetal death, as many fetuses with congenital anomalies continue to survive and may even be delivered alive.