Nurses’ Experiences of Caring for Families Whose Babies Were Born Still or Died Shortly After Birth

An exploratory qualitative descriptive method was used to answer the research question, “What is the experience of caring for families whose babies were born still or died shortly after birth for obstetrical nurses?” Findings revealed that caring for bereaved families is a difficult and yet meaningful experience valued by the nurses in this study. Connecting and supporting bereaved families with their babies was identified as an essential part of practice. Understanding from colleagues as well as time and space for reflection were helpful. Nurses offered mothers anticipatory guidance and described thinking about the mothers, even years later.