Nursing learner's experiences with regard to caring for mothers after stillbirth deliveries at a public hospital in Gauteng Province

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore and describe nursing learners’ experiences with regard to caring for mothers after stillbirth deliveries at selected public hospitals in Gauteng province. A qualitative approach was used to conduct the study. The population consisted of all the second, third and fourth year learners registered for the Diploma in General Nursing (General, Community, Psychiatry) and Midwifery who had been allocated to the obstetric section of five selected public hospitals in the province. Purposive sampling was used to select participants from nursing learners who had taken care of mothers after stillbirth deliveries. Five focus group interviews and reflective journals were used to collect data. Data was analysed according to Tesch’s method by the researcher and an independent co-coder. The following categories emerged from the findings: experiences of learners when caring for mothers after a stillbirth delivery; interaction with the mother of the stillborn infant; and changing emotions within the same environment. It was recommended that further research be conducted in other public hospitals to determine the needs of learners when caring for mothers after stillbirth deliveries. Extensive research to be conducted regarding emotional and academic support required by learners in order to empower them to care for mothers after stillbirth deliveries. The nursing curriculum to make provision for outcomes on bereavement and grief for nursing staff and learners.