Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023
Abstract Background Stillbirth occurs at a rate of 3.0 per thousand in Sweden. However, few studies have focused on the initial experiences of parents facing a stillbirth. The aim of this qualitative study is to deepen and broadly explore parents’ initial experiences, perceptions, internal processes...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-07055-0 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1841559045198053376 |
|---|---|
| author | Berit Höglund Ingegerd Hildingsson |
| author_facet | Berit Höglund Ingegerd Hildingsson |
| author_sort | Berit Höglund |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Stillbirth occurs at a rate of 3.0 per thousand in Sweden. However, few studies have focused on the initial experiences of parents facing a stillbirth. The aim of this qualitative study is to deepen and broadly explore parents’ initial experiences, perceptions, internal processes and strategies from the moment of suspicion or awareness of stillbirth until one month after the event. Methods Ten individual in-depth interviews were conducted between 2021 and 2023, and data were evaluated using thematic network analysis. Results Two key themes emerged: ‘Following the journey – from suspicion to acceptance’ and ‘Support, structured activities and processes after stillbirth’. These themes captured the significant consequences of a sudden, unexpected and devastating end to pregnancy. The suspicion and eventual diagnosis of stillbirth were initially associated with sudden discomfort, fear, overwhelming grief, and intense pain. Nevertheless, a vaginal birth was regarded as the optimal mode of delivery for both physical and emotional wellbeing. Caring for the stillborn baby through physical proximity for an extended period of time helped parents comprehend and cope with their grief, while also affirming their sense of parenthood. Conclusions This study sheds light on the profound and devastating impact of stillbirth on parents who are confronted with the loss of their long-awaited and cherished baby. The intense grief and pain experienced by parents during the first month after stillbirth were described as an ongoing heavy burden, persisting day and night, and reflected in poor/very poor mental health. Despite the immense challenges faced by parents, the study highlights the importance of developing individual coping strategies to deal with this tragic and irreversible life-changing event. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1921a38e802242979be95cdad3f52540 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-2393 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth |
| spelling | doaj-art-1921a38e802242979be95cdad3f525402025-01-05T12:49:27ZengBMCBMC Pregnancy and Childbirth1471-23932025-01-0125111310.1186/s12884-024-07055-0Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023Berit Höglund0Ingegerd Hildingsson1Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityDepartment of Women’s and Children’s Health, Uppsala UniversityAbstract Background Stillbirth occurs at a rate of 3.0 per thousand in Sweden. However, few studies have focused on the initial experiences of parents facing a stillbirth. The aim of this qualitative study is to deepen and broadly explore parents’ initial experiences, perceptions, internal processes and strategies from the moment of suspicion or awareness of stillbirth until one month after the event. Methods Ten individual in-depth interviews were conducted between 2021 and 2023, and data were evaluated using thematic network analysis. Results Two key themes emerged: ‘Following the journey – from suspicion to acceptance’ and ‘Support, structured activities and processes after stillbirth’. These themes captured the significant consequences of a sudden, unexpected and devastating end to pregnancy. The suspicion and eventual diagnosis of stillbirth were initially associated with sudden discomfort, fear, overwhelming grief, and intense pain. Nevertheless, a vaginal birth was regarded as the optimal mode of delivery for both physical and emotional wellbeing. Caring for the stillborn baby through physical proximity for an extended period of time helped parents comprehend and cope with their grief, while also affirming their sense of parenthood. Conclusions This study sheds light on the profound and devastating impact of stillbirth on parents who are confronted with the loss of their long-awaited and cherished baby. The intense grief and pain experienced by parents during the first month after stillbirth were described as an ongoing heavy burden, persisting day and night, and reflected in poor/very poor mental health. Despite the immense challenges faced by parents, the study highlights the importance of developing individual coping strategies to deal with this tragic and irreversible life-changing event.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-07055-0Coping strategiesFoetal movementsGrieving processIn-depth interviewsParentsProfessionals |
| spellingShingle | Berit Höglund Ingegerd Hildingsson Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth Coping strategies Foetal movements Grieving process In-depth interviews Parents Professionals |
| title | Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 |
| title_full | Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 |
| title_fullStr | Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 |
| title_short | Is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth? Initial experiences, perceptions and strategies: individual in-depth interviews in Sweden 2021–2023 |
| title_sort | is it possible for parents to endure a stillbirth initial experiences perceptions and strategies individual in depth interviews in sweden 2021 2023 |
| topic | Coping strategies Foetal movements Grieving process In-depth interviews Parents Professionals |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-024-07055-0 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT berithoglund isitpossibleforparentstoendureastillbirthinitialexperiencesperceptionsandstrategiesindividualindepthinterviewsinsweden20212023 AT ingegerdhildingsson isitpossibleforparentstoendureastillbirthinitialexperiencesperceptionsandstrategiesindividualindepthinterviewsinsweden20212023 |