The perinatal bereavement project: development and evaluation of supportive guidelines for families experiencing stillbirth and neonatal death in Southeast Brazil-a quasi-experimental before-and-after study.

BACKGROUND: For most parents, getting pregnant means having a child. Generally, the couple outlines plans and has expectations regarding the baby. When these plans are interrupted because of a perinatal loss, it turns out to be a traumatic experience for the family. Validating the grief of these losses has been a challenge to Brazilian society, which is evident considering the childbirth care offered to bereaved families in maternity wards. Positively assessed care that brings physical and emotional memories about the baby has a positive impact on the bereavement process that family undergoes. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effects supportive guidelines have on mental health. They were designed to assist grieving parents and their families while undergoing perinatal loss in public maternities in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo state, Brazil. METHOD: A mixed-methods (qualitative/quantitative), quasi-experimental (before/after) study. The intervention is the implementation of bereavement supportive guidelines for women who experienced a stillbirth or a neonatal death. A total of forty women will be included. Twenty participants will be assessed before and twenty will be assessed after the implementation of the guidelines. A semi-structured questionnaire and three scales will be used to assess the effects of the guidelines. Health care professionals and managers of all childbirth facilities will be invited to participate in focus group. Data will be analyzed using statistical tests, as well as thematic analysis approach. DISCUSSION: The Perinatal Bereavement guidelines are a local adaptation of the Canadian and British corresponding guidelines. These guidelines have been developed based on the families' needs of baby memories during the bereavement process and include the following aspects: (1) Organization of care into periods, considering their respective needs along the process; (2) Creation of the Bereavement Professional figure in maternity wards; (3) Adequacy of the institutional environment; (4) Communication of the guidance; (5) Creation of baby memories. We expect that the current project generates additional evidence for improving the mental health of women and families that experience a perinatal loss. Trial registration RBR-3cpthr For many couples, getting pregnant does not only mean carrying a baby, but also having a child. Most of the time, the couple has already made many plans and has expectations towards the child. When these plans are interrupted because of a perinatal loss, it turns out to be a traumatic experience for the family. In Brazilian culture, validating this traumatic grief is very difficult, especially when it happens too soon. The barriers can be noticed not only by the way society deals with the parents' grief, but also when we see the care the grieving families receive from the health care establishment. Creating physical and emotional memories might bring the parents satisfaction regarding the care they receive when a baby dies. These memories can be built when there is good communication throughout the care received; shared decisions; the chance to see and hold the baby, as well as collect memories; privacy and continuous care during the whole process, including when there is a new pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period. With this in mind, among the most important factors are the training of health staff and other professionals, the preparation of the maternity ward to support bereaved families and the continuous support to the professionals involved in the bereavement. This article proposes guidelines to support the families who are experiencing stillbirth and neonatal death. It may be followed by childbirth professionals (nurses, midwives, obstetricians and employees of a maternity ward), managers, researchers, policymakers or those interested in developing specific protocols for their maternity wards.

RESUMO: CONTEXTO: Uma assistência avaliada positivamente por mães e pais que passaram pela perda perinatal permite a criação de memórias físicas e afetivas do bebê e possuem efeitos positivos no processo de luto da família. Este estudo avaliará os efeitos de uma diretriz de acolhimento na saúde mental de mulheres em processo de luto perinatal e neonatal em maternidades públicas do município de Ribeirão Preto (SP, Brasil). MéTODO: Estudo de métodos mistos (quantitativo e qualitativo), quase-experimental (antes e depois). A intervenção é a implementação de diretrizes de acolhimento ao luto de mulheres que tiveram um natimorto ou óbito neonatal. Um total de quarenta mulheres serão incluídas. Vinte participantes serão avaliadas antes, e vinte após a implementação da diretriz de acolhimento nas instituições. Serão aplicadas três escalas e uma entrevista semiestruturada para avaliar os efeitos da diretriz. Profissionais da saúde e gestores serão convidados a participar de grupos focais. Os dados serão analisados por meio de testes estatísticos, e sob a metodologia de análise temática. A diretriz de acolhimento contará com material baseado em diretrizes canadense e britânica. DISCUSSãO: As diretrizes brasileiras de luto perinatal propostas são uma adaptação local das diretrizes canadense e britânica. Baseamo-nos na necessidade da família por memórias físicas e afetivas da criança morta para facilitar a vivência do processo do luto. Elas incluem os seguintes aspectos: (1) organização dos períodos da assistência a partir de suas respectivas necessidades, (2) criação do papel do Profissional do Luto, (3) ambientação das instituições, (4) disseminação das diretrizes e (5) criação de memórias do bebê. Espera-se que o projeto gere evidências adicionais para melhorar a saúde mental de mulheres e famílias que vivenciam uma perda perinatal. Registro do estudo: RBR-3cpthr.

Post-traumatic stress disorder after subsequent birth to a gestational loss: An observational study / Trastorno de estrés postraumático tras una gestación posterior a una pérdida gestacional: Un estudio observacional

Abstract Introduction The loss of a pregnancy puts women at risk of suffering post-traumatic stress disorder. This circumstance can influence a subsequent pregnancy, and the link with the future baby. Objective The main objective of this work was to identify the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among post-partum women who give birth after having suffered a previous gestational loss and to identify possible relationships between PTSD and the variables studied. Method An observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. A total of 115 puerperal women who had suffered a previous gestational loss completed questionnaires containing sociodemographic variables, obstetric history, and responses to the Davidson Trauma Scale. Results A score of 40 was established as a cut-off point in the Davidson Trauma Scale for the identification of PTSD. 21.7% of the participants scored 40 or above. Significant differences were found related to age (p = .030), number of pregnancies (p = .033), and number of gestational losses (p = .001). The probability of PTSD increases significantly in relation to the number of losses. Respondents are 2.55 times (β = .94 p = .027) more likely to suffer PTSD the higher the number of gestational losses suffered. Discussion and conclusion There are significant differences in the presence of PTSD among puerperal women in terms of age, number of pregnancies, and number of gestational losses. Post-partum women are more likely to suffer PTSD after a gestational loss the higher the number of gestational losses suffered.

Resumen Introducción La pérdida de un embarazo sitúa a las mujeres en riesgo de padecer un trastorno por estrés postraumático. Esta circunstancia puede influir en un embarazo posterior, y el vínculo con el futuro bebé. Objetivo El objetivo principal de este trabajo fue identificar la prevalencia de trastorno por estrés postraumático entre puérperas que dan a luz tras haber sufrido una pérdida gestacional previa e identificar posibles relaciones entre el trastorno por estrés postraumático y las variables estudiadas. Método Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal. Un total de 115 puérperas que habían sufrido una pérdida gestacional anterior llenaron cuestionarios que contenían variables sociodemográficas, de la historia obstétrica y la Escala de Trauma de Davidson. Resultados Se estableció 40 como punto de corte en la Escala de Trauma de Davidson para identificar el trastorno por estrés postraumático. Se identificó en un 21.7% de las participantes. Se encontraron diferencias significativas relacionadas con la edad (p = .030), el número de embarazos (p = .033) y el número de pérdidas gestacionales (p = .001). La probabilidad de trastorno por estrés postraumático aumenta significativamente en relación con el número de pérdidas. Es 2.55 veces (β = .94 p = .027) más probable padecer un trastorno por estrés postraumático cuanto mayor sea el número de pérdidas gestacionales sufridas. Discusión y conclusión Existen diferencias significativas en la prevalencia de trastorno por estrés postraumático entre las puérperas en cuanto a la edad, el número de embarazos y el número de pérdidas gestacionales. Es más probable padecer trastorno por estrés postraumático tras una gestación posterior a una pérdida gestacional cuanto mayor sea el número de pérdidas gestacionales sufridas.

Post-traumatic stress and related symptoms in a gestation after a gestational loss: narrative review / Estrés postraumático y síntomas relacionados en un embarazo posterior a una pérdida gestacional: revisión narrativa

Abstract Background Around 30% of pregnancies conclude in a gestational loss. Most women who suffer a gestational loss become pregnant again. However, mothers who have experienced this situation live the new pregnancy with fear and anxiety. Objective To perform an update of the main works done in the study of post-traumatic stress and related symptoms during pregnancy after a gestational loss. Method The Medline database was consulted. Articles published from 2007 to date were selected. Key words related to the topic of study were used. Results The studies reviewed showed five entities that deserve attention during a pregnancy achieved after a gestational loss: post-traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, relationship, and relationship with the future child. There is a relationship between the presence of post-traumatic stress and the risk of developing depression and anxiety. Discussion and conclusion Women who experience perinatal loss, regardless of the type of loss and the gestational age in which it occurs, are at risk of continuing grief, symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress in later pregnancy. The gestational age and the time elapsed between the perinatal loss and the next pregnancy seem to be the most influential factors in the development of post-traumatic stress sindrome, and symptoms of dysfunctional grief, anxiety, and depression.

Resumen Antecedentes Alrededor de un 30% de los embarazos concluyen en una pérdida gestacional; de este porcentaje, la mayoría de las mujeres vuelve a quedar embarazada. Sin embargo quienes han experimentado esta situación viven con miedo y ansiedad su nuevo embarazo. Objetivo Realizar una actualización de los principales trabajos realizados en cuanto al estudio del estrés postraumático y los síntomas relacionados con el embarazo posterior a una pérdida gestacional. Método Se consultó la base de datos Medline y se seleccionaron artículos publicados desde 2007 hasta la fecha. Se emplearon palabras clave relacionadas con el tema de estudio. Resultados Los estudios revisados mostraron cinco entidades que merecen atención durante un embarazo experimentado tras una pérdida gestacional: estrés postraumático, depresión, ansiedad, relación de pareja y vínculo con el futuro infante. Se encontró que existe una relación entre la presencia de estrés postraumático y el riesgo de desarrollar depresión y ansiedad. Discusión y conclusión Las mujeres que experimentan pérdida perinatal, independientemente del tipo de pérdida y de la edad gestacional en la que se produce, corren el riesgo de continuar el duelo, los síntomas de depresión, la ansiedad y el estrés postraumático durante el embarazo posterior. La edad gestacional y el tiempo transcurrido entre la pérdida perinatal y el siguiente embarazo parecen ser los factores más influyentes en el desarrollo del síndrome de estrés postraumático, así como de síntomas de duelo disfuncional, ansiedad y depresión.