Experiences and needs of Nigerian women after stillbirth

To determine the type of care that Nigerian women would find useful after stillbirth.

Between January and June 2009, the study consecutively enrolled women attending the prenatal clinic of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria, who had previously had a stillborn infant. The women were asked whether they had been offered any of the following recommended care procedures: (1) see the infant; (2) hold the infant; (3) obtain mementoes; (4) name the infant; or (5) autopsy. They were also asked which of these procedures they found helpful in coping with their loss. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire.

Of the 45 women interviewed, 24 (53.3%) were given the opportunity to see the body of their infant. None was given the opportunity to hold, take pictures, or name the infant. Thirty (66.7%) wished they had seen their infant, and 8 (17.8%) and 2 (4.4%) wished that they could have held and taken photographs of their infant, respectively. Only 7 (31.82%) women had fully recovered within 3 years of stillbirth.

Contrary to general beliefs, most women wished to see the body of their stillborn infant and many desired to hold them.