title: Strategy for Mental Health Improvement of Iranian Stillborn Mothers From Their Perspective: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mothers got stressed when they are informed about the occurrence of stillbirth. Many researchers believe that the failure to provide the required care by health teams during this hard time is the main determinant of maternal mental health in the future. In other words, psychosocial support by medical care providers can significantly improve mental outcomes of mother after stillbirth.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to explore stillborn mothers' suggested strategies to provide maternal mental health in the experience of stillbirth.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty women who had experienced stillbirths participated in this qualitative content analysis study. They were selected through purposeful sampling method. Data were gathered by individual interviews recorded on audiotapes, transcripted and then analyzed. Then, transcriptions were coded and classified. Finally, 3 main categories and 9 subcategories were emerged.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Analysis of participants' viewpoints and their opinions about strategies to provide maternal mental health in the experience of stillbirth lead to development of 3 main categories: "before delivery strategies" with 3 subcategories, "during labor strategies" with 3 subcategories, and "postpartum strategies" with 3 subcategories. Analyses of findings showed that, health care providers can mitigate some of the long-term negative mental outcomes of stillborn mothers by spending extra time with grieving mothers, facilitating bonding, and validating their emotional expressions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the results, revision and modification of the care plan in the experience of stillbirth seems necessary to improve mental health in these mothers. According to suggested strategies, midwives and health care providers are health professionals who can effectively and properly care for stillborn mothers.
authors.affiliation: Student Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allahdadian
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Alireza
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Irajpour
authors.affiliation: Department of Midwifery and Reproductive Health, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ashraf
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kazemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Gholamreza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kheirabadi
keywords: Mental Health; Qualitative Content Analysis; Stillbirth; Strategy