Support after stillbirth and its effect on parental grief over time

Area of Science:

• Perinatal Psychology
• Grief Studies
• Sociology of Family

Background:

• Stillbirth profoundly impacts parental mental health and grief.
• Understanding parental support needs is crucial for effective bereavement care.
• Long-term support strategies require examination beyond the immediate postpartum period.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore parental experiences of support 2 years after stillbirth.
• To investigate the effect of support on ongoing parental grief.
• To identify key sources and types of support crucial for bereaved parents.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal questionnaire-based study.
• 33 mothers and 22 fathers surveyed at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years post-stillbirth.
• Qualitative and quantitative data on support experiences and grief.

Main Results:

• Professional support from hospital staff (midwives, physicians, counselors, priests) was vital.
• Support from family and friends remained significant even 2 years after the stillbirth.
• The need for professional support varied based on the adequacy of informal social network support.

Conclusions:

• Parental support needs after stillbirth are complex and evolve over time.
• Informal social networks play a critical role, but may require guidance on effective support.
• Educational materials for family and friends could enhance the quality of support provided to bereaved parents.