From Darkness to Light: Accompanying Women Giving Stillbirth in a Public Hospital

Abstract Problem: Stillbirth is a traumatic event with lasting emotional and psychological impacts on women and partners. However, stillbirth care and support are often insufficient, leading to negative experiences and prolonged grief. Background: Despite the prevalence of stillbirth, there is a lack of guidance on meeting the needs of affected individuals. Healthcare professionals rely on personal experiences, resulting in inconsistent and inadequate care. The psychological effects of stillbirth also extend to relationships beyond immediate family. Aim: This article examines stillbirth experiences and evaluates care practices to enhance support and address emotional, psychological, and social aspects. Methods: A literature review and investigation of protocols at Assuta Ashdod Hospital in Israel, known for its comprehensive approach to stillbirth care. Findings: Inadequate communication and lack of support from healthcare teams were common issues reported by individuals who experienced stillbirth. Social isolation, insensitive comments, and a lack of support groups intensified emotional distress. Assuta Ashdod Hospital's study emphasized personalized support, respectful rituals, and provision of memory items. Discussion: Healthcare professionals need to deliver compassionate and individualized care, addressing emotional and spiritual needs. Creating mementos and preserving memories can aid the grieving process. Conclusion: Improving post-stillbirth care and support is crucial for emotional well-being and navigating grief. Healthcare professionals should receive training and support to provide compassionate care. Implementing comprehensive care protocols, including respectful rituals and memory items, can aid healing and coping with loss. Statement of Significance (SOS) Issue: Inadequate care and support after stillbirth result in negative experiences and prolonged grief for women and partners. Existing guidance fails to meet the needs of individuals, leading to inconsistent and insufficient care. What is Already Known: Stillbirth impacts beyond immediate family, affecting relationships with friends and extended family. Inadequate communication and support from healthcare teams contribute to emotional distress. What this Paper Adds: This paper examines stillbirth experiences and evaluates care practices. It emphasizes compassionate and individualized care to address emotional and spiritual needs. Assuta Ashdod Hospital's study highlights effective comprehensive care protocols, including personalized support, respectful rituals, and memory items. In summary, this paper adds to the existing knowledge by shedding light on the inadequacies of current care practices and proposing improvements to enhance support and address the emotional, psychological, and social aspects of stillbirth. It emphasizes the significance of individualized care, respectful rituals, and memory preservation in promoting healing and facilitating the grieving process.