Mothers. experiences of accessing services following the death of a baby through stillbirth or Neonatal death

Abstract

This research study examined mothers’ experiences of gaining access to services following the death of a baby through stillbirth or a neonatal death. An exploratory research design was used to conduct applied research into the said topic through the use of a semi-structured interview schedule. The research sample consisted of fifteen mothers, all having lost a baby within the last five years to stillbirth or neonatal death. These mothers were met in propinquity and the interview schedule was conducted with them. The findings were analysed and presented both quantitatively, by means of percentages and graphs, and qualitatively, by means of themes and sub themes. The research was particularly relevant in that it is estimated that between three and five percent of all pregnant mothers in South Africa will lose their babies to a stillbirth or neonatal death every year. For this reason it is essential that adequate and quality services be offered to these mothers to prevent complications in their grief. The study conducted by the researcher focused on the accessibility of quality hospital, religious, formal and social support services to bereaved mothers following the death of a baby through stillbirth and neonatal death. The researcher then discussed, in detail, the literature informing the study. The discussion of the literature, as outlined by the researcher, was set in a logical progression – beginning with a discussion on grief, the grief process, dysfunctional grief and models of grief, then moving onto a discussion of the grief following the loss of a baby and maternal grief predictors. The theory ended with a discussion on the services, particularly hospital services, religious services and formal services, available to bereaved mothers. The researcher then presented the findings of the study, drawing comparisons between the literature and the empirical findings where relevant. Conclusions and recommendations were then formulated and presented. The researcher firmly believes that the research conducted holds the potential of providing significant practical suggestions to the functioning of the services that are available to bereaved mothers.