Bereavement Care Provided by Nurses and Midwives after Perinatal Loss: A Systematic Scoping Review

Abstract

Background: Each year, 2.6 million stillbirths occur globally, according to the World Health Organization (2014). Over 80% of the basic care needed by women after a perinatal loss can be provided by educated midwives. The role of midwives and nurses in delivering bereavement care is crucial, yet there is a need to explore further this aspect of care, particularly in low-and middle-income countries. Objective: This review aims to investigate the bereavement care provided by midwives and nurses after perinatal loss, focusing on the impact of this care on patient satisfaction, well-being, and emotional support. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted in February 2018. Four electronic databases—Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest, and Science Direct—were searched using the following strategy: “Patient satisfaction” AND “well-being” AND “emotional support” AND “midwives” AND “Nurses” AND (“miscarriage” OR “Stillbirth”). From the 168 articles initially identified, 12 articles were selected that specifically addressed bereavement care provided by midwives and nurses to parents following perinatal loss. Results: The review revealed that midwives and nurses play a significant role in providing essential support and therapeutic communication to parents experiencing perinatal loss. This support can help expedite the grieving process and result in positive, long-lasting effects for the parents of stillborn babies. However, the review also highlighted a significant gap in interventional studies on bereavement care in low-and middle-income countries. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the critical role of midwives and nurses in delivering bereavement care, suggesting that more interventional studies are needed, particularly in low-resource settings. Enhancing the support provided by healthcare professionals in these regions could improve outcomes for bereaved parents globally.