Table 1 Influencing factors for depression & negative psychological symptoms after stillbirth
Influencing factors | |
|---|---|
Negative | |
Previous perinatal loss | |
Complications in index pregnancy | |
Poor support from partner | |
Increased time from index pregnancy | |
Increased maternal age | |
Psychological problems pre-existing | |
Gender (female) | |
Grief suppression | |
Death of partner (symptoms may re-emerge) | |
Not conceiving in future | |
Absence of living children | |
Personality traits | |
Not seeing/holding baby/saying goodbye | |
Lack of maternal pride | |
Single/divorced or widowed parent | |
Poor family support/social network | |
Increased number of pregnancy losses | |
Prolonged grief | |
History of sexual or physical abuse | |
Attending ultrasound in index pregnancy (males) | |
Lack of male support for fathers | |
Ambiguity of burial arrangements | |
One partner being ignored by HCP | |
Unemployment | |
History of infertility | |
Multiple pregnancy losses | |
Seeking cause of loss/blame | |
Delay in IOL after loss | |
Insensitive treatment by HCP | |
Poor ego strength (males) | |
History of stressful life events | |
Positive | |
Treatment/counselling/professional support |