EXPERIENCES OF POSTNATAL MOTHERS WITH STILLBIRTH IN THE EAST MAMPRUSI DISTRICT

ABSTRACT

Stillbirth (SB) is a global issue; an estimated 2.6 million SB occur in a year. The highest rate of SB is recorded in Africa. Data on the postnatal experiences of mothers who have had SB in Ghana is lacking. The purpose of this study was to explore the postnatal mother’s experience of SB in the East Mamprusi District of the Northern region of Ghana. Exploratory descriptive design was adopted for the study. Purposive sampling method was used to recruit fourteen (14) participants who met the inclusion criteria and were willing to participate in the study. Data was collected using interview guide which was pretested. Data was analysed using thematic content analysis guided by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross theoretical framework on grieving. The meaning attributed to SB pose a lot of challenges to women. Grieving mothers adopt coping strategies to overcome the burden of SB. Support from friends, family/neighbours, care providers, religion, community and spouses enable mothers to cope well with the loss. Grieving mothers expect care givers to demonstrate sensitivity and empathy and remain aware that stillbirth experience is distressing and traumatic. Findings of this study will help inform the provision of meaningful and culturally appropriate care for mothers following SB. In conclusion, the current study found that the care rendered to mothers after SB experience does not meet the expectations of mothers especially their psychological needs. Therefore there is the need for care providers to change their attitude, actions, communication and behaviour towards mothers after SB in order to provide competent and holistic care that meet the needs of mothers and families after SB.