Understanding Stillbirth Risks & What to Expect During Pregnancy

Question
Hello --

I'm 13 weeks pregnant with my first child.  I feel really worried that something could happen to my baby and I wouldn't know it.  I watched an episode of "ER" in which a character's baby died in her womb when he was caught up in the umbilical cord.  Is this just mostly Hollywood or does it actually happen?  Are there other ways a baby could die in the womb without being miscarried/delivered prematurely?  Are any of these things preventable?  Finally, this aspect of it is really bothering me: After it was determined that the character's baby had indeed died, labor was induced and she delivered the baby.  Was this just unique to the plot of this fictional story, or is this the common practice?  Why could she not have had a cesarean in that case?
Thanks so much for answering my question.  

Answer
HI Cate,
as unfortunate as it is, things like this do happen, but one thing pregnancy is an emotionally trying time and you tend to get caught up in things like this that do cause stress and worry, just remember, stress and worry from external forces or real problems can cause problems in pregnancy. I would advise you to talk with your obgyn and make sure to your satisfaction that all is well and what you should be doing. then when things like this do come around just change the channel. As far as the delivering of the baby, either way is the way of removing a baby.