Reflective evaluations of perinatal bereavement care provision in the US and UK: an exploratory qualitative comparative study

Hollins Martin, Caroline Joy; Côté Arsenault, Denise; Norris, Gail

Abstract

There is increased recognition of the need to improve standards of perinatal bereavement care, due to its frequency and potential sequelae. As part of a Fulbright Scholar award, United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK) researchers collaborated to explore similarities and differences in perinatal bereavement care between two nations. Using an explorative qualitative comparative method, key categories within perinatal bereavement provision were identified and analysed. Themed findings include: (1) Differences in definitions of miscarriage and stillbirth impact care pathways; (2) For the experiencer grief is the same regardless of legal lines drawn; (3) The meaning of loss is personal and ‘fetal personhood’ needs to be acknowledged during care; (4) Appropriate psychological care is required whether miscarriage or stillbirth is experienced. We conclude that perinatal bereavement care should include screening for Postnatal Depression (PND) and Post-Traumatic-Stress-Disorder (PTSD), and support should be equally available to all women who experience perinatal bereavement, irrespective of type of loss. Acknowledging that cultures react to loss in different ways, we recommend that strategies are developed to build human resilience. For example, Compassionate-Mind-Training (CMT), which helps people cope with trauma through cultivating compassion and teaching self-care strategies to build resilience, reduce self-criticism, and decrease threat-based emotions.

Citation

Hollins Martin, C. J., Côté Arsenault, D., & Norris, G. (2024). Reflective evaluations of perinatal bereavement care provision in the US and UK: an exploratory qualitative comparative study. Bereavement, 3, https://doi.org/10.54210/bj.2024.1119

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Online Publication Date: Apr 19, 2024
• Publication Date: 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 22, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 22, 2024
• Electronic ISSN: 2754-7833
• Publisher: Cruse Bereavement Support
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 3
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.54210/bj.2024.1119
• Keywords: perinatal, bereavement, comparison, UK, US, culture, care
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/3597836