Partners in Pain, Two Sides of a Zipper – Midwives’ Experiences With Stillbirth: A Qualitative Study

Bayrı Bingöl F., Yılmaz Z. D., Topaloğlu S.

OMEGA, cilt.1, sa.1, ss.1-17, 2024 (SSCI)

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 1 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2024
  • Doi Numarası: 10.1177/00302228241235429
  • Dergi Adı: OMEGA
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ASSIA, IBZ Online, Periodicals Index Online, Abstracts in Social Gerontology, AgeLine, ATLA Religion Database, CINAHL, EBSCO Education Source, Education Abstracts, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Psycinfo, Social services abstracts, Sociological abstracts, Violence & Abuse Abstracts
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-17
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study was conducted to explore and understand the experiences of midwives who

care for women experiencing stillbirth and the challenges they face in this process. A

qualitative study was conducted with 11 midwives using the phenomenological method.

Descriptive analysis of the data revealed four main themes: 1) Silent screams in the face

of despair (women’s reactions to stillbirth), 2) Being a partner in pain, “two sides of a

zipper” (midwives’ experience of stillbirth), 3) Efforts to cope with the pain, and 4) Just

two words: “if only.” The impact of stillbirths on midwives should not be disregarded.

Emotions such as shock, horror, fear, guilt, and anger experienced by midwives following

a stillbirth can adversely affect their mental health. The guilt experienced by

midwives can also negatively impact their health and quality of life, as well as cause

burnout and distancing from the profession.