[When the expected child dies. Both emotional and practical support is important for the women affected]

The results of a nationwide population-based epidemiological study of 636 women showed the majority of those who lost a child prenatally in 1991 to have been satisfied with the care they received. After a stillbirth it is beneficial to create a peaceful, supportive atmosphere in which the woman may spend as much time with her stillborn child as she wishes. Access to tangible reminders of the child reduces the risk of anxiety. The findings suggest that delivery should be induced as soon as the woman desires. Almost all the women stressed the importance of obtaining an adequate explanation of the child's death, in order to come to terms with their loss.