The Impact of Stillbirth on Maternal Wellbeing

Kathleen Massmann1, Shobha Jagannatham2, Joanne Stone3

  • 1Healing Moments Counseling, 1262 Cedar Street, Monticello, MN 55362, USA.

Several parents globally face stillbirth, which takes a toll on their mental health and well-being. We would like to discuss the differences between grief and mental health and ways care must be tailored toward the specific needs of the bereaved. Recent research shows that there is a sense of personal responsibility that accompanies stillbirth and pregnancy loss. Feelings of guilt and shame are common in bereaved mothers because their child's death occurred within their bodies. There is a lack of formal training and education that leave clinicians feeling helpless in the face of grief following stillbirth.

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