Navigating grief Pedagogy in Midwifery: Insights from interviews with clinical midwifery educators

Graduating midwifery students often lack the knowledge, skills, and confidence to provide evidence-informed, woman-centred care in the context of perinatal loss and grief. Limited clinical exposure contributes to this gap, leaving students underprepared for emotionally complex care situations. Midwifery students require structured, supported exposure to perinatal loss care to build emotional resilience and clinical competence. A shift in mindset is needed to balance protection with preparation. Strengthening university curricula, enhancing collaboration with clinical settings, and prioritising mental preparedness are essential. Future research should examine the impact of pre-registration exposure on graduate midwives' readiness to provide bereavement care.