title: "I'll never forget those cold words as long as I live": parent perceptions of death notification for stillbirth.
abstract: This qualitative study analyzed stillbirth notification messages recalled by parents who strongly agreed (n = 47) and strongly disagreed (n = 43) that the way news about the death of their infant was delivered negatively impacted their grieving process. Three message elements formed a core stillbirth notification experience (delay of news delivery; expression of sympathy; communication of death), and three additional message elements occurred in both data sets (communication regarding options; expression of uncertainty; exit of health care provider); however, the messages differed in form and frequency between the two groups. Three message elements reflected opposing experiences for the two groups (support of parent emotion; continuity of care; and information provision). Recommendations for stillbirth notification that emphasize acknowledging parent perceptions, clear language and information, empathetic communication, and continuity of care are given.
authors.affiliation: Hugh Downs School of Human Communication, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona 85287, USA. suzanne.p.pullen@gmail.com
authors.forename: Suzanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pullen
authors.forename: Mindi Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Golden
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cacciatore
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000739:Anecdotes as Topic; D001601:Bereavement; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D035622:Parental Notification; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult