An exploration of women’s lived experiences of care and support following perinatal death in South-Western Nigeria: A hermeneutic phenomenological study

Background

Perinatal death results in long-lasting intense grief for bereaved mothers with a potential to negatively impact on their short- and long-term outcomes and quality of life if inadequately supported in coping with and managing their experience.

Aim

This study aimed at exploring the lived experience of women, of care and support following perinatal death in South-Western, Nigeria.

Methods

A qualitative methodology using Heideggerian phenomenology was used. Fourteen women who had experienced perinatal death in South-Western Nigeria within the last (5) five years were interviewed, and Van Manen’s approach to hermeneutic phenomenology was used in data analysis.

Findings

Four main themes were identified: “they did not tell me the baby died”, “response of health care professionals after the baby died”, “moving on from hospital”, and “support from family”. The physical health status of mothers determined how they were informed of perinatal death. Health care professionals were distant, rude, nonempathetic and did not offer emotional support, in some cases. Mothers were given opportunity to see and hold their babies. There was no routine follow-up support in the community, besides a postnatal check-up appointment offered to all mothers regardless of their birth outcome. Family provided emotional support for mothers on discharge.

Conclusion

This study was the first to explore the lived experience of women of the care and support following perinatal death in South-Western, Nigeria. There is a need for healthcare systems to review bereavement care and support provisions for women who experience perinatal death.