The Psychological Effects of a Stillbirth on Surviving Family Members

Abstract

The stillbirth of a baby precipitates a major crisis in a family. Interview and written testimony from 350 mothers and fathers suggest several challenges and themes common to many of these bereaved families in the aftermath of the death: shock, blame, guilt, and hardship; the desperate need to remember; the utility of autopsies and funerals; the burden of irrational and terrifying thoughts; the necessity for adequate support systems; issues surrounding surviving siblings and subsequent pregnancies; the long journey to healing; and the need to reach out to help others in distress.

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