When New Life Meets Death: Three Hermeneutic Case Studies From Switzerland

Abstract

Pregnant women in Switzerland expect safe and healthy birth outcomes for themselves and their babies. However, in 2018, 691 died in infancy with gaps identified in the provision of services to parents in such circumstances. Our study aims to illustrate these gaps and how, from participants’ perspectives, they were addressed. A hermeneutic method was employed to analyze three cases: one from each major language region was via primary health-care providers. A thematic analysis was carried out with individual participants followed by a cross-case comparison which showed a hermeneutic of rupture, the juxtaposition of time and reshaping the family. This article shows the unique journeys experienced by parents whose baby dies before or shortly after birth in one country where neither the language nor experience is shared. The derivation of three hermeneutic themes may resonate with other parents or health professionals.