The psychosomatic experiences of women who had intrauterine foetal death in rural South Africa.
Martha Kharivhe, Mary Maluleke, Thingahangwi Masutha and 7 others
PMID 38111992WHAT IT FOUND
Women used reduced foetal movement to sense the baby was in danger, but often waited by thinking the baby was tired or big.
After diagnosis, staff silence or talking among themselves made them feel afraid and left out.
Key findings
01Women reported painful umbilicus, vomiting, headaches and reduced foetal movements as forewarning signs before labour.
02Some participants normalised reduced foetal movement by thinking the baby was tired or had settled because the baby had grown and uterine space had diminished.
03After diagnosis, women experienced healthcare professionals mumbling, being silent or talking to each other, which made some afraid to ask for clarity and feel left out.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 10 women were interviewed, all from three hospitals in one rural district, so the findings may not apply to other settings. Women were included only if they had delivered by normal vaginal delivery and were 6 months from the loss, so experiences of caesarean birth or earlier grief were not captured. Women with a history of mental health problems were excluded, so the study did not describe experiences of women with existing mental health conditions. Incorrect patient details made it difficult to obtain files, and participants were followed up from register information.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that this study tested a way to prevent intrauterine foetal death or improve bereavement care. It describes the retrospective experiences of 10 women and does not show that any assessment or communication approach changes outcomes.