Women and Stillbirth: their feelings about management of treatment at The Royal Hospital for Women, Paddington

Abstract

This paper examines the attitudes of staff in an obstetric hospital towards stillbirth and neo-natal death as seen from the parent's point of view. In early 1982 the Social Work Department devised a questionnaire which was completed by the relevant social worker from information received while the patient was in hospital, and during contact post-natally.

Overall, the women stated that they were treated with sensitivity and compassion, however there were some criticisms, including being avoided by their doctors and lack of privacy. Seeing their babies, even when there was deformity, was reported as being helpful in coming to terms with the loss.