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Abstract
In this study the authors describe parents’ experiences of support over a 2-year period after a stillbirth and its effect on parental grief. Data was collected by questionnaire from 33 mothers and 22 fathers at 3 months, 1 year, and 2 years after a stillbirth. Midwives, physicians, counselors, and priests—at the hospital where the stillbirth occurred—are those on the front line providing professional support. The support from family and friends was seen to be important 2 years after the stillbirth. The need for professional support after stillbirth can differ, depending on the support provided by family, friends, and social networks. They may not fully realize the value of their support and how to be supportive. Printed educational materials given to individuals in the social network or family might therefore be helpful.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the mothers and fathers who participated and the midwives who invited the parents to take part in the study.
Notes
Note. Scored from 0 to 4: 0 = no need of support and 4 = great need of support; 0 = no support given and 4 = much support given. Also, parents’ rating of support that was given by hospital staff, priest, and counselor from the stillbirth until some months after scored from 0 to 4. All scores presented as the means and at confidence interval 95% for mothers and fathers.
Note. Scoring from 0 to 4: 0 = not at all and 4 = to a great extent. Results presented as the means and at confidence interval 95%.
Note. Scoring from 0 to 4: 0 = not at all and 4 = to a great extent. Results presented as the means and at confidence interval 95%.