What is the term for a baby who dies long before delivery and may be characterized by an unpleasant odor?

The term that describes a baby who dies long before delivery and may be characterized by an unpleasant odor is "stillborn delivery." This occurs when a fetus dies in the womb after the 20th week of pregnancy but before or during delivery. The decomposing process can lead to an unpleasant odor, which is a key characteristic of stillborns.

In contrast, other terms have specific definitions that do not apply to this scenario. Preterm birth refers to a baby born before the 37th week of pregnancy and does not inherently involve death. Miscarriage, also known as spontaneous abortion, occurs before the 20th week of pregnancy and does not typically involve the same implications of a stillbirth, nor does it usually carry the same characteristics, such as odor. Neonatal death refers to the death of a baby within the first 28 days after birth, which is distinct from a stillbirth since the baby is born alive before passing away.