Stillbirth: the mother's experience and implications for improving care

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Health
• Psychosocial Support
• Social Work in Healthcare

Background:

• Stillbirth tragically accounts for more infant deaths than all other causes combined.
• Mothers experiencing stillbirth often lack adequate post-loss support.
• Professional care for parents coping with stillbirth is frequently inconsistent and inadequate.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the emotional complexity and long-term grief experienced by mothers after stillbirth.
• To identify the need for psychosocial and spiritual support for stillbirth bereavement.
• To advocate for comprehensive social work interventions in stillbirth care.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 47 women aged 19-51.
• Participants recruited through nonprofit bereavement care agencies.
• Exploration of women's experiences with stillbirth and grief.

Main Results:

• Stillbirth results in complex, long-lasting grief and difficulty finding meaning.
• Mothers require perceived psychosocial and spiritual support from caregivers, family, and friends.
• Women's experiences underscore the need for comprehensive support approaches.

Conclusions:

• Comprehensive interventions are crucial for supporting grief and loss after stillbirth.
• Social work involvement is vital for both immediate and long-term stillbirth bereavement care.
• Addressing the psychosocial and spiritual needs of parents is essential for healing.