Volume 197 - Issue 5
Support for parents following stillbirth
Authors: Vicki J Flenady, Christine Carroll and Ros M Richardson
Med J Aust 2012; 197 (5): 276. || doi: 10.5694/mja12.10982
Published online: 3 September 2012
Published online: 3 September 2012
Cunningham’s perspective provides a timely review of the literature relating to the maternal psychological outcomes of holding stillborn babies, which remains controversial. It is unfortunate that some popular media sources reported it incorrectly as saying that seeing and holding stillborn babies may cause harm. The correct conclusion is that the literature is inconclusive.
The Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance strongly supports Cunningham’s ...
To the Editor: Cunningham’s perspective1 provides a timely review of the literature relating to the maternal psychological outcomes of holding stillborn babies, which remains controversial. It is unfortunate that some popular media sources reported it incorrectly as saying that seeing and holding stillborn babies may cause harm.2 The correct conclusion is that the literature is inconclusive.
The Australian and New Zealand Stillbirth Alliance strongly supports Cunningham’s recommendation that parents should be offered balanced advice to help them choose whether or not to see and hold their stillborn baby. We believe that all parents should have the option communicated in an open, supportive and non-judgemental way. Parents should be supported in spending time with their baby if they choose to do so. The Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand guideline3 recommends that parents are informed that they can see, hold and bath their baby, and that staff help them do so. When families decline, their choice should be respected.
Further research is needed to understand family perspectives on maternity care following stillbirth. It must move beyond the question of whether seeing and holding a stillborn baby might be associated with a particular outcome, and focus on contextual factors that can influence and support parents’ decisions and outcomes. This would provide robust evidence to support clinical practice, training and education of health care providers to improve outcomes for all families who experience the tragedy of stillbirth.
Competing interests
No relevant disclosures.
References
- Cunningham KA. Holding a stillborn baby: does the existing evidence help us provide guidance? Med J Aust 2012; 196: 558-560. 0_CHDBIJAC
- Rudra N. Holding stillborn could be harmful. Canberra Times 2012; 21 May. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/holding-stillborn-could-be-harmful-20120520-1yz9v.html (accessed Aug 2012).
- Flenady V, King J, Charles A, et al. Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand clinical practice guideline for perinatal mortality. 2nd ed, version 2.2. Brisbane: PSANZ, 2009. http://www.stillbirthalliance.org.au/guideline1.htm (accessed Aug 2012).