Bereaved parents’ experience of stillbirth in UK hospitals: a qualitative interview study

Document first published:: 26 June 2019
Page updated:: 30 August 2019
Topic:: Children and young people, Maternity
Publication type:: Research

Twenty-two families from all regions in England took part in a midwifery-led study by Downe et al (2013). The views of bereaved parents were obtained about their interactions with healthcare staff when their baby died just before or during labour.

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Bereaved parents’ experience of stillbirth in UK hospitals: a qualitative interview study

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Summary

Positive memories and outcomes following stillbirth depend as much on genuinely caring staff attitudes and behaviours as on high-quality clinical procedures. All staff who encounter parents in this situation need to see each meeting as their “one chance to get it right” highlighting the need for care and quality resulting in better experience and better outcomes.