PSYCHOSOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF STILLBIRTH FOR THE MOTHER AND HER FAMILY: A CRISIS-SUPPORT APPROACH.

Melanie Human,Richard D Goldstein,Sulina Green,Hannah C Kinney,Hein J Odendaal,Coen Groenewald

doi:10.15270/50-4-392

Melanie Human, Richard D Goldstein + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.15270/50-4-392

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Abstract

In this article mothers’ emotions after experiencing a stillbirth are discussed. A study combining quantitative and qualitative research provided the foundation for a better understanding of the psychosocial implications of stillbirth for a mother and her family. The crisis-intervention approach was used to assist a control group of 25 mothers and was also evaluated during the study to establish the effectiveness thereof. Findings indicated that those mothers receiving the intervention used different coping mechanisms to deal with the severity of their loss. Narratives further show that relationship problems occurred following the loss. Receiving crisis intervention from a social worker during this period of grief, helped to facilitate the grieving process.

Highlights

Stillbirth defies the modern expectation of a healthy outcome for pregnancy
Stillbirth is a major problem in South Africa
During a 2-year-period ending on 31st December 2011, 32,178 stillbirths were tracked by the Perinatal Problem Identification Program at 588 sites in South Africa

Summary

Introduction

Stillbirth defies the modern expectation of a healthy outcome for pregnancy. It prompts many complex emotional responses which have numerous distinctive characteristics. The grief reaction following a stillbirth has been demonstrated to be comparable to other types of bereavement (Chan, Lou, Arthur, Cao, Wu, Li & Lui, 2008:509) with potential to cause serious short-term and long-term psychological problems. An event that should have been a joyous birth ends in a tragic death, forcing the mother to deal with the emotions surrounding birth and death simultaneously (Human, 2013:1). Stillbirth is a major problem in South Africa. During a 2-year-period ending on 31st December 2011, 32,178 stillbirths were tracked by the Perinatal Problem Identification Program at 588 sites in South Africa

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