The Psychological Impact of Foetal Loss at Term on Sudanese Mothers
Journal Title: Interventions in Gynaecology and Women’s Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 1, Issue 3
Abstract
This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study to explore and describe the psychological impact and social support following perinatal loss among Sudanese Mothers who have been through it before, hence, to evaluate it among them, to estimate the magnitude of psychological and social consequences of childbirth resulting in perinatal death, to explore and describe social support following perinatal loss, and to assess how well our health care providers feel when dealing with parents who have suffered perinatal loss. The study was conducted at 3 hospitals; namely, Saudi, Saad Abulilla and Omdurman maternity hospitals; among Sudanese Mothers who had experienced perinatal losses from February to July 2014, using a self- administered questionnaire after a prior informed consent. They were interviewed between the 1st days to 12 months following their fetal losses. Data was collected by trained data collectors- through self-administered questionnaires and interviews- using a structured format, and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) Program version 16 software. A total of 110 respondent Sudanese mothers were included, most of them were house wives, and 58(52.7%) aged between 31-40 years. 96 (87.3%) experienced sadness after loss and had a desire to carry another pregnancy in the future. Family and husband play an important role in providing support. 96 (87.3%) agreed that whatever happened was a test from God. Mothers who have been through perinatal losses should be screened for psychosocial impact. Family, husband and friends should continue to provide emotional support. Health care providers should provide psychosocial support during antenatal, delivery and postnatal care. Perinatal loss refers to "the death of an infant during pregnancy or soon thereafter". It's known to cause major emotional and psychological effects on mothers. However, little is known about these effects in developing countries. There are several different kinds of perinatal loss, including miscarriage, stillbirth, and neonatal death. Miscarriage also known as spontaneous abortion- is the body's natural termination of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation (i.e. Mostly within the 1st 13 weeks). It's the most common form of Perinatal Loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death. A stillbirth is a fetal death that occurs after 20 weeks gestation, while, Neonatal Death occurs when an infant dies within 28 days following a live birth [1]. No doubt, the mother may experience feelings of extreme sadness and loss, when she receives the news that her baby has not survived. That's natural, for sure. Considering there is no such a right or a wrong way to feel. There are no "SHOULD(s)". She may feel betrayed, or even something went wrong with her. Perhaps, she is struggling to make meaning for her loss. The memory of this experience will linger, but try to have both courage and faith that, over time, such heartache will lessen somehow. At this stage of mother's life, it is important to let her mourn as she desires, and take as much time as she needs. One of the most helpful things she should have - at this time- is a strong network of support. Try to reach out to her friends and family. Talk to them about her feelings. Don't hesitate to ask them for helping her out whenever she needs [2]. Keeping in mind that others may not understand the magnitude of that loss. Consider explaining the significance of the loss to those who are close to her. Communicate with them, as much as you can, hence, you can help them sympathize and become better able to support her the way she needs [2]. In such difficult times, one can hardly cope alone. The mother may find that the experience brings her closer to her spouse. She may also find that the pain drives each of them to seek an "alone time", and that she feels herself growing apart.
Authors and Affiliations
Kunna A, Sumeya A Kheiri, Khairy S Ismail, Hassan A Elkheir, Suaad Elnour, Umbeli Taha
Keywords
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- EP ID EP569617
- DOI 10.32474/IGWHC.2018.01.000114
- Views 76
- Downloads 0
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