Oluwafemi Kuti1, Clara E Ilesanmi. 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital, Ile-lfe, Nigeria. okuti_victory@yahoo.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the type of care that Nigerian women would find useful after stillbirth. METHODS: Between January and June 2009, the study consecutively enrolled women attending the prenatal clinic of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria, who had previously had a stillborn infant. The women were asked whether they had been offered any of the following recommended care procedures: (1) see the infant; (2) hold the infant; (3) obtain mementoes; (4) name the infant; or (5) autopsy. They were also asked which of these procedures they found helpful in coping with their loss. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 45 women interviewed, 24 (53.3%) were given the opportunity to see the body of their infant. None was given the opportunity to hold, take pictures, or name the infant. Thirty (66.7%) wished they had seen their infant, and 8 (17.8%) and 2 (4.4%) wished that they could have held and taken photographs of their infant, respectively. Only 7 (31.82%) women had fully recovered within 3 years of stillbirth. CONCLUSION: Contrary to general beliefs, most women wished to see the body of their stillborn infant and many desired to hold them.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the type of care that Nigerian women would find useful after stillbirth. METHODS: Between January and June 2009, the study consecutively enrolled women attending the prenatal clinic of Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesa, Nigeria, who had previously had a stillborn infant. The women were asked whether they had been offered any of the following recommended care procedures: (1) see the infant; (2) hold the infant; (3) obtain mementoes; (4) name the infant; or (5) autopsy. They were also asked which of these procedures they found helpful in coping with their loss. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 45 women interviewed, 24 (53.3%) were given the opportunity to see the body of their infant. None was given the opportunity to hold, take pictures, or name the infant. Thirty (66.7%) wished they had seen their infant, and 8 (17.8%) and 2 (4.4%) wished that they could have held and taken photographs of their infant, respectively. Only 7 (31.82%) women had fully recovered within 3 years of stillbirth. CONCLUSION: Contrary to general beliefs, most women wished to see the body of their stillborn infant and many desired to hold them.