Breaking Bad News to Pregnant Mothers Experiencing Stillbirth: Reporting a Gap in Practice

Abstract

Dear Editor,

Human beings have always expected good news upon the pregnancy of a dear member of their family, together with both midwives and physicians. Unfortunately, not all pregnancies lead to good news, such as a normal childbirth or the birth of a healthy baby. Stillbirth gives rise to social, psychological, and physical challenges.[1] Both parents often experience grief, anxiety, fear, and suffering. Tolerance of bad news may be less agonizing if, thanks to ultrasound technology, fetal abnormalities are detected before childbirth and even during the early phases of gestation; timely interventions and treatment can then be conducted.[2] Among the undesirable news such as genetic defects, abnormalities, and abortion, the most painful and unexpected news may be the stillbirth, particularly a late stillbirth or a term stillbirth. Therefore, breaking the news of fetal death requires a sensitive approach and empathetic communication toward the affected parents.[3].............................