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

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