Coping and experience post an adverse birth outcome for fathers: a population-based perspective from India

We report on the experience and coping mechanism of the fathers post adverse birth outcome from a population-based representative sample in the Indian state of Bihar.

A state-representative sample of fathers of stillborn babies and babies who died within neonatal period (newborn deaths) born between July 2020 and June 2021 were interviewed. They reported on socio-demography, supportive experience and coping mechanism post birth/death of their baby, and their opinion on if their baby could have been saved. The prevalence of supportive experience, and type and prevalence of coping mechanisms by select socio-demographic characteristics is reported for them, and the prevalence of seeing, holding, and naming of the baby for the fathers of stillborn.

A total of 241 (71.5% participation) and 347 (71.2% participation) fathers of stillborn and of newborn deaths participated, respectively. Being able to talk to someone about their baby was reported by 174 (72.5%; 95% CI: 66.5-77.8) and 264 (77.0%; 95% CI: 72.2-81.1); and having received support to cope with loss by 194 (80.8%; 95% CI: 75.3-85.3) and 264 (77.0%; 95% CI: 72.2-81.1) fathers with stillborn and newborn death, respectively. Majority reported crying as a coping mechanism (70.8%; 95% CI: 64.7-76.3 for stillborn and 75.5%; 95% CI: 70.6-79.8 for newborn deaths), and aggression was the most common negative coping mechanism (29.6%; 95% CI: 24.1-35.7 for stillborn and 28.3%; 95% CI: 23.7-33.3 for newborn death). Majority were of the opinion their baby could have been saved had they gone to a higher-level health facility for delivery or medical attention (63.0% for stillborn and 67.7% for newborn death). Naming, seeing and holding of the stillborn was reported by 5.8%, 83.4% and 55% fathers who were present at the time of delivery, respectively.

This study highlights the need for perinatal bereavement strategies to be inclusive of the fathers along with the mothers and offer insights on formulation of those strategic programs.

Not applicable.