Parental grief and recovery after the stillbirth – An interview study with parents in Sweden one year after stillbirth

INTRODUCTION: Few parents face stillbirth in Sweden, and knowledge of their long-term grieving and recovery process is limited. The aim of the study was to explore parents' memories, perspectives, reflections, and insights regarding the grieving and recovery process one year after stillbirth. METHODS: This is a mixed-methods study involving nine in-depth interviews and responses to eleven quantitative statements in convergent succession. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic network analysis. RESULTS: Two themes were identified: 1) 'Impossible to close the heavy door to indelible memories of the stillborn baby', and 2) 'The balance of personal and social factors and internal processes enables increased quality of life'. These themes captured parents' individual and ongoing processes of grieving and reflection. One year later, parents affirmed increasing stability in their memories and feelings, although more than half described their mental health as partly good/not good. Some parents disclosed new pregnancies and live births, which, per se, called for increased, structured, safe, and respectful professional healthcare that acknowledges previous experiences of stillbirth. The quantitative statements reinforced qualitative findings and showed that parents usually responded positively to holding the baby, and highlighted the importance of knowing the reason behind the stillbirth. CONCLUSIONS: Bereaved parents experience individual recovery processes, characterized by gradual improvements in quality of life while maintaining a sense of loss for their stillborn baby, one year after the event.