Posted 1 August 2017

New research published this week in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology confirms what Sands has known since the charity started supporting parents in 1978: bereaved parents do not always receive high-quality aftercare and support after their baby is stillborn.

The Sands-funded INSIGHT study, led by Dr Dimitrios Siassakos from Southmead Hospital, involved interviewing 35 parents of 21 babies stillborn in three South West maternity units in 2013. This was complemented by focus group discussions of bereavement care and experience involving 22 obstetricians and midwives. Relevant hospital practices were also audited.

The INSIGHT study found that care experienced by parents varied greatly. Some bereaved parents had endured long delays before the death of their baby was confirmed and action taken. Staff communications and actions were, in some instances, thought insensitive by parents.

A particular issue was staff moving to prioritise the needs of the mother while the parents remained focused on their baby. The need for midwives to be able to communicate effectively with bereaved parents and ‘look them in the eye’ was very important to them.

Parents were more likely to opt for a post mortem if staff took time to explain the respectful nature of the investigation, the purpose and the timescale.

Well-designed bereavement suites in hospitals were considered critically important for good bereavement care.

The INSIGHT study also highlights the disconnect between follow-up care experienced by parents of stillborn babies, which was inconsistent, and the importance to parents of clear information and follow-up appointments with their maternity team.

Dr Clea Harmer, Chief Executive at Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity), said: “INSIGHT shows there is still a lot of work that needs to be carried out to improve the care, advice and information parents receive when they are given the devastating news that their baby has died. The communication lines between parents and healthcare professionals are of paramount importance and I would welcome further research on the subject.”

Dr Dimitrios Siassakos, Consultant Senior Lecturer in Obstetrics in Bristol, and Chief Investigator, said: “The INSIGHT study has shown that care for parents with stillbirth is not always as good as it could and should be. No parent should experience ‘torture’ (actual word used by parents refused a Caesarean delivery) because we failed to understand their needs or to provide them with adequate information.

“No member of staff should be ‘scarred for life’ after trying to care for bereaved parents without having specific training first. No maternity unit should fail to support parents in their difficult journey because there is no bereavement care pathway in place. Let’s listen to every voice, let’s learn from every baby’s death, and let's design better care together with parents, urgently.”

This in-depth study is the first of its kind to investigate the experiences but also the recommendations of bereaved parents and the staff who care for them.

Further research is necessary to understand and improve bereavement care globally.

To read the full report: All bereaved parents are entitled to good care after stillbirth: A mixed-methods multi-centre study (INSIGHT)

Notes to editors

For further information, please contact Lee Armitt, Press and PR Officer on 020 3897 3449/07587 925411 or media@sands.org.uk

About Sands

Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. They work nationally to reduce baby deaths through promoting better maternity care and funding research. They have a programme of training and a wide range of resources designed to support professionals to improve the bereavement care they provide following the death of a baby, and they provide a comprehensive bereavement support service both nationally through their helpline and locally through around 100 regional support groups based across the UK. Find out more about Sands.

About stillbirth

Stillbirth is the death or a baby before or during birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy. In 2015, there were 3,434 babies stillborn in the UK – Office for National Statistics (ONS). While the causes of stillbirth are wide ranging and poorly understood, supporting staff to follow best practice at all times would help to avoid some deaths.

You might also be interested in

Professionals

One of our core aims is to improve the quality of care offered during pregnancy and in the event of a baby dying. We work in partnership with health professionals and others to minimise the risks of stillbirth and to ensure the families of those babies who do die receive the best possible care. We’re also dedicated to supporting research into the causes of stillbirths and neonatal deaths and better ways of identifying and monitoring babies at increased risk of dying. Sands contributes to the funding of some research studies using money from our research fund. Sign up to receive the latest updates and information on research, policy, campaigns, and professional support direct to your inbox, here.

About Sands

Sands exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to support anyone affected by the death of a baby, before, during or shortly after birth, whenever this happened and for as long as they need support. Babies are dying every day. Currently in the UK, 13 families a day suffer the heartbreak of losing their baby before, during or shortly after birth. That’s around 4,500 babies a year. And at least 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. These numbers are shocking and show the scale of the problem. Currently, far too many babies die without scientists, doctors, midwives, or their own parents understanding why. That’s why we believe research is vital in improving our understanding of how to save babies’ lives and using that evidence to drive changes in maternity policy and practice. For more than 40 years, Sands has been here for anyone affected by pregnancy and baby loss to offer understanding and comfort through its Freephone helpline, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups. Sands works in partnership with health care professionals, trusts and health boards and offers a range of training programmes and bereavement care resources to ensure that every bereaved parent and family receives the best possible care wherever they are in the UK. Sands supports and promotes research to better understand the causes of baby deaths, improve maternity safety and save babies’ lives. The charity also raises awareness of baby loss and works with governments, key influencers and other stakeholders to make reducing the number of babies dying a priority nationally and locally.

Support for professionals

We understand that it can be extremely upsetting to witness the death of a baby first-hand. That’s why our support services are for you too. Our Supporting Midwives, Supporting Parents leaflet is a useful starting point.
Exit Site