Decision-making of Czech mothers about contact with their baby after perinatal loss

Abstract

IntroductionThe objective is to describe the experience of Czech mothers in terms of decision-making about visual and physical contact with a baby after perinatal loss, and also to explore the effect of this experience on the intensity of the mothersʼ grief after perinatal loss. MethodsA mixed method design using qualitative data from 18 in-depth interviews was used in the Czech Republic, as well as mixed qualitative and quantitative data from an internet based questionnaire. A total of 100 questionnaires were analyzed using “Interventions after Perinatal Loss” and the Czech version of “the Perinatal Grief Scale”. ResultsThe decision making of women after perinatal loss over contact with their deceased baby is influenced by internal factors (the need of a woman to get to know her child, concerns and fear of contact) and external factors (emotional support for the woman, professional information and interventions of the midwife or doctor). Internal factors are often conflicting and the social environment has the decisive say. The research has proven that a mother's independent decision about contact with a baby after perinatal loss has significant impact on the intensity of her grief. The grief of mothers who decided independently and who were sure about their decision was statistically significantly less intense than in mothers for whom the decision had been made by medical staff. ConclusionThe results of our research reflect the professional uncertainty of Czech midwives taking care of mothers after perinatal loss. This is demonstrated in a majority of cases by a paternalistic approach to communication.