Authors (including presenting author) :
Wong KY, Ng NC & Leung WL
Affiliation :
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
Introduction :
Perinatal loss is a devastating and excruciating life event. Some parents describe losing their child or the unborn baby as the most unbearable pain. Studies showed some bereaved mothers even developed complicated psychological sequelae like depression and post-traumatic stress symptoms. During the hospitalized and acute grief period, what the healthcare providers say or do pose a significant meaning on the coping journey for the bereaved mothers. Healthcare providers also express difficulty and stress on caring and communicating with mothers who are in acute grief.
Objectives :
(1)To explore the view of Chinese women with perinatal loss about helpful and distressing healthcare providers’ behaviour during hospitalization (2)To formulate implication to guide healthcare providers to care and communicate with bereaved mothers
Methodology :
Qualitative phenomenological research design was adopted. Women experiencing perinatal loss in one year were recruited. Data collection was done by either self-administered questionnaire or phone interview, which was guided by structured open-ended questions. Data collected was analyzed by thematic analysis.
Result & Outcome :
46 participants with perinatal loss participated in the study. The perinatal loss included miscarriage (n=14), termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly (n=21), stillbirth (n=5) and neonatal death (n=6). The gestation ranged from 14 to 35 gestational weeks. 37 (80%) participants felt grateful or touched upon healthcare providers’ behaviour. Most of them commented a general good feeling. Five themes emerged during thematic analysis (Helpful Intervention): H1. Special and sensitive care with caring attitude. H2. Empathy. H3. Physical contact: touch. H4. Being closely supported and guided by midwife/nurse during labour. H5. Environment: quiet and being accompanied by husband. 14 (30%) participants felt sad or angry upon some healthcare providers’ action or words. Three themes emerged from the negative experience (Distressing Behaviour): D1. Coldhearted attitude and words. D2. Being compared with other mothers having normal delivery. D3. Unaware of the condition of perinatal loss and giving insensitive remark. Conclusion: Majority of the participants appreciated about helpful healthcare providers’ behaviour. Meanwhile, some of them also felt distressed upon some staff’s missteps. Healthcare providers’ care and behaviour could leave a memorable impact on the bereaved mothers’ coping journey. The findings guide the healthcare providers to provide better bereavement care, and help the bereaved mothers go through the acute grief period.
