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Experiences and needs of Nigerian women after stillbirth
Author(s) -
Kuti Oluwafemi,
Ilesanmi Clara E.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2010.11.025
Subject(s) - medicine , obstetrics , family medicine
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.