An exploration of factors influencing nursing practice with families experiencing perinatal loss

Abstract

Perinatal loss is a complex phenomenon with multiple dimensions and represents a professional challenge for nurses. There are as many different ways of coping with bereavement as there are parents, and nurses must adapt their intervention in order to adequately support grieving parents. This qualitative study explored the factors that influence nursing practice with bereaved families in a secondary obstetric care center in Quebec. Guba and Lincoln's fourth generation evaluation approach was used. Ten nurses participated in this qualitative study. Data collection was performed using semi-structured interviews. Validation interviews were conducted with three nurses and two gynecologists. The analysis was performed within the perspective of Watson's theory of caring. A thematic analysis was performed and five themes were identified: the relational quality between the nurse and the family, personal characteristics of the nurse, the feelings expressed by nurses, the working environment, and the context in which the nursing care is provided to the family. In light of the results, some aspects of nursing practice should be encouraged in order to assure adequate support is provided to grieving families.