The experiences of mothers with intrauterine fetal death/demise (IUFD) in Indonesia

Abstract

Background: Intrauterine Fetal Death/Demise (IUFD) is a traumatic event for mothers. Mothers with IUFD have the risk of experiencing depression, anxiety, sadness, and sorrow in their lives. Research focusing on how mothers deal with such a traumatic experience is therefore necessary. Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of mothers with Intrauterine Fetal Death/Demise (IUFD) in Indonesia. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study with a phenomenological approach was carried out to seven informants who were recruited using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using the Colaizzi’s method. Result: The results showed four major themes, including the mothers’ response to a loss such as painful and traumatic experience; moral support received by mother; negative behavior from others such as stigma and lack of support; and physical and psychological changes that interfere with the role as wife and mother. Conclusion: The history of IUFD was a very traumatic experience and had quite a high emotional burden for mothers. Hence, it is necessary to integrate support and therapeutic communication into practice.