I Rådestad1, C Nordin, G Steineck, B Sjögren. 1. Centre of Caring Sciences North (CWN), Karolinska Institute, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare women's reports of aspects of their care during pregnancy, labour and delivery following stillbirth and live birth. DESIGN: Data were collected by postal questionnaire in 1994. SETTING: A Swedish nation-wide population-based study of cohorts defined in 1991. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fourteen women with stillbirth (subjects) and 322 women with live birth (controls). MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Labour and delivery were assessed as physically 'insufferably hard' by 52 (17%) of the subjects and 33 (10%) of the controls. The corresponding figures for emotional strains were 144 (47%) and 21 (7%). Obstetric analgesia was more frequently used during labour for stillbirth. One hundred and thirty-eight (44%) subjects, as compared to 44 (2%) of the controls, left hospital within 24 hours of birth. Almost all the women with stillbirth 296 (95%) stated that it was important to have an explanation of the baby's death. Adverse events related to bromocriptine given to inhibit postpartum lactation, were reported by 60 (22%) of the subjects. KEY CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to ease the distress of labour and delivery for stillbirth. Discussion of the aetiology of the baby's death with the mother should be a priority. The optimal length of stay in hospital after stillbirth remains to be defined. Non-pharmacological inhibition of lactation may be presented as an alternative to bromocriptine, breast binding is a concrete 'reality confrontation' for the woman and may aid her in her grieving process. Further studies concerning breast binding vs pharmacological inhibition of lactation and long-term psychological outcome are warranted.
OBJECTIVE: To compare women's reports of aspects of their care during pregnancy, labour and delivery following stillbirth and live birth. DESIGN: Data were collected by postal questionnaire in 1994. SETTING: A Swedish nation-wide population-based study of cohorts defined in 1991. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred and fourteen women with stillbirth (subjects) and 322 women with live birth (controls). MEASUREMENTS AND FINDINGS: Labour and delivery were assessed as physically 'insufferably hard' by 52 (17%) of the subjects and 33 (10%) of the controls. The corresponding figures for emotional strains were 144 (47%) and 21 (7%). Obstetric analgesia was more frequently used during labour for stillbirth. One hundred and thirty-eight (44%) subjects, as compared to 44 (2%) of the controls, left hospital within 24 hours of birth. Almost all the women with stillbirth 296 (95%) stated that it was important to have an explanation of the baby's death. Adverse events related to bromocriptine given to inhibit postpartum lactation, were reported by 60 (22%) of the subjects. KEY CONCLUSIONS: It is possible to ease the distress of labour and delivery for stillbirth. Discussion of the aetiology of the baby's death with the mother should be a priority. The optimal length of stay in hospital after stillbirth remains to be defined. Non-pharmacological inhibition of lactation may be presented as an alternative to bromocriptine, breast binding is a concrete 'reality confrontation' for the woman and may aid her in her grieving process. Further studies concerning breast binding vs pharmacological inhibition of lactation and long-term psychological outcome are warranted.
Authors: Helen D Bailey; Akilew A Adane; Scott W White; Brad M Farrant; Carrington C J Shepherd Journal: Arch Gynecol Obstet Date: 2022-09-15 Impact factor: 2.493
Authors: Elizabeth Wall-Wieler; Alexander J Butwick; Ronald S Gibbs; Deirdre J Lyell; Anna I Girsen; Yasser Y El-Sayed; Suzan L Carmichael Journal: Am J Perinatol Date: 2020-05-04 Impact factor: 1.862