Stillbirth – the review of literature concerning good hospital standards in the care of a mother

The article aims to describe the psychological situation of woman who experienced stillbirth. Author presents the results of researches concerning the medical staff behavior and it’s relation to mother and family wellbeing. The researches show that stillbirth causes depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, the elevated level of fear. The aim of this paper was to focus on the possibilities of the caregivers’ support during mother’s hospitalization. The clinical role of the emotional support given to the bereaved parents by the medical staff has yet to be defined. Findings presented in the article show that caregivers should support parents especially in moments of chaos and shock of the first diagnosis of child’s death. The parents needed assistance in both facing and separating from the baby. Support and understanding of the process of bereavement and grief: creating the possibility of expressing the difficult emotions, explanation of the stillbirth, organization of the hospital care: the possibility to see the same doctor again – these factor seem to be crucial in the hospital care of a mother. Findings indicate that the hospital is under an obligation to be aware of emotional needs of parents and organize the care in a way to support them. The review of literature is completed by the case study which shows how the medical staff behavior can help the bereaved mother.