Swedish parents' experiences of parenthood and the need for support to siblings when a baby is stillborn
adolescent; Child; Female; Humans; infant; Male; Adult; Siblings; Sweden; Stillbirth; Preschool; sibling bereavement; parenting
BACKGROUND: It has been argued that having a stillborn baby in the family affects older siblings more than parents realize. The aim of this study was to describe parenthood and the needs of siblings after stillbirth from the parents' perspective. METHODS: Six focus groups were held with 27 parents who had experienced a stillbirth and who had had children before the loss. The discussion concerned parents' support to the siblings, and the sibling's meeting, farewell, and memories of their little sister or brother. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. RESULTS: The overall theme of the findings was parenthood in a balance between grief and everyday life. In the analysis, three categories emerged that described the construction of the theme: support in an acute situation, sharing the experiences within the family, and adjusting to the situation. CONCLUSIONS: The siblings' situation is characterized by having a parent who tries to maintain a balance between grief and everyday life. Parents are present and engaged in joint activities around the stillbirth together with the siblings of the stillborn baby. Although parents are aware of the sibling's situation, they feel that they are left somewhat alone in their parenthood after stillbirth and therefore need support and guidance from others.
Avelin P; Erlandsson K; Hildingsson I; Rådestad I
Birth (berkeley, Calif.)
2011
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-536X.2010.00457.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1111/j.1523-536X.2010.00457.x</a>
Siblings’ farewell to a stillborn sister or brother and parents’ support to their older children: a questionnaire study from the parents’ perspective
bereavement; sibling; Stillbirth; Grief; sibling bereavement; mourning
This study aims to capture parental descriptions of how siblings take leave of and mourn a stillborn brother or sister and how their parents support them. Data were collected by questionnaires from 16 parents of siblings to a stillborn child one year after the stillbirth. Data were analysed numerically for the multiple-choice questions and content analysis was used for parental comments and descriptions. The results describe siblings’ farewell to a stillborn brother or sister and how their parents in the midst of their own grief were involved in supporting siblings’ wellbeing, and observed their mourning reactions. Although the findings need to be interpreted with caution, they may provide insight that enables staff to become more sensitive to the whole family experience in the practice of their profession. Further research into siblings’ grief and parental support after stillbirth is crucial so that further light may be shed on their situation.
2010-06
Erlandsson K; Avelin P; Säflund K; Wredling R; Rådestad I
Journal Of Child Health Care
2010
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1177/1367493509355621" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1177/1367493509355621</a>
Perinatal palliative care after a stillbirth - Midwives experiences of using Cubitus baby
midwife; palliative therapy; Stillbirth; Cold; Cold Temperature; content analysis; cooling; Female; Human; human dignity; infant; major clinical study; Male; Midwifery; Palliative Care; Parents; Questionnaire; Refrigeration; Sweden
In Sweden, around 450 babies are stillborn every year. Usually, the parents stay at the hospital a couple of days after the birth and they can have the baby in their room. Due to the importance to keep a dead body cold it has, until recently, been a routine to separate the baby from the parents and place the baby in a refrigerator during the night. With the goal to improve the dignity for the baby and the family a tool was developed. Cubitus baby, a special cot with cooling blocks, was implemented at all 48 delivery wards in Sweden during 2013-2014. The aim of the study was to investigate the midwives experiences of using Cubitus baby. In total 155 midwives answered a questionnaire. One open question was analyzed with content analyses. Five categories were formed concerning the midwives experiences; a gracious feeling, a sense of relief in their work, caring with coldness, time to say goodbye and a good feeling for the parents. Cubitus Baby is an essential tool for the midwife when they provide perinatal palliative care. The midwife can give time to say farewell without feeling stressed that they must separate the baby from the parents.
Radestad I; Listermar KH
Bmc Pregnancy And Childbirth
2017
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
<a href="http://doi.org/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer"></a>
A waste of life: Fathers' experience of losing a child before birth
Child; Fathers
2001
Samuelsson M; Radestad I; Segesten K
Birth
2001
Article information provided for research and reference use only. PedPalASCNET does not hold any rights over the resource listed here. All rights are retained by the journal listed under publisher and/or the creator(s).
Journal Article
<a href="http://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-536x.2001.00124.x" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">10.1046/j.1523-536x.2001.00124.x</a>