Stories of women who experienced stillbirth on a labour ward
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How do women who have experienced stillbirth on a labour ward tell the story of their experiences?
IRAS ID
281439
Contact name
Joanna Heyes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Staffordshire University
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
N/A, N/A
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 4 months, 30 days
Research summary
This study aims to explore how women who experienced a stillbirth on a labour ward tell the story of their experiences.
In the UK, the provision of dedicated bereavement rooms in maternity units varies depending upon locality. A survey of 68 National Health Service (NHS) Trusts found that 63% of Trusts have a dedicated bereavement room available in every maternity unit, whilst 26% of trusts have a bereavement room in at least one maternity unit but not in all within the Trust. 11% have no bereavement rooms at all available in any of their maternity units (SANDS, 2016).
When women whose babies die in utero reside in a locality without a dedicated bereavement room, they typically have to give birth on the labour ward where other women are birthing live, healthy babies.
Previous research has demonstrated that being able to hear other families and babies can cause distress to bereaved parents (Redshaw, Rowe & Henderson, 2014). This was recognised in the NHS Better Births publication, in which guidance for maternity units regarding the care for bereaved families was considered (NHS, 2016). However, the provision of a separate birthing suite for women whose babies have died was not a recommendation of the publication.
This research aims to explore the potential emotional impact of this experience on Mothers. It is expected that the stories of the women in this study will allow for a deeper understanding of this experience than is currently represented in the literature.Women over 18 who have experienced a stillbirth on an NHS labour ward over 6 months ago but post February 2016 will be eligible. The study will be advertised on Mumsnet and SANDS charity websites. Interviews will be conducted over skype. Participant interviews will last 1 hour, and occur up to 3 times.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0720
Date of REC Opinion
16 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion