A comforting and supportive visual representation of stillbirth care, emphasizing empathy and healing.

Beyond Delivery: Understanding and Improving Stillbirth Care in Sydney Hospitals

Theo Raines in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"A comprehensive look at bereaved parents' experiences and how hospitals can better support grieving families through sensitive care and follow-up strategies."

The global focus on stillbirth has intensified, leading to better descriptions of its epidemiology and risk factors, as well as increased awareness of its impact on bereaved families. Despite this progress, there is still limited evidence on best practices for care following stillbirth.

Giving birth to a deceased infant is an exceptionally traumatic event, affecting relationships, future pregnancies, and overall well-being. High-quality psychological and social support is essential to help families navigate this challenging time.

This article explores a study conducted in Sydney, Australia, which examines the experiences of parents who have suffered a stillbirth. The goal is to identify strategies that hospitals can implement to improve care and support for these families during their hospital stay and in follow-up care.

Key Findings: What Bereaved Parents Value Most

A comforting and supportive visual representation of stillbirth care, emphasizing empathy and healing.

The study, which involved questionnaires sent to participants of the Sydney Stillbirth Study, identified several key themes related to hospital management of stillbirth. These themes highlight the critical aspects of care that families value most during this incredibly difficult time.

The main findings from the study can be broken down into core themes. These themes encompasses the crucial elements that hospitals and caregivers should focus on to provide meaningful support.

Emotional Response to Grief: Recognizing and addressing the profound emotional impact of stillbirth with empathy and respect.
Educational Guidance: Providing clear, sensitive guidance through the grieving process, including creating memories and understanding available support resources.
Environmental Considerations: Ensuring adequate time and appropriate physical space for grieving, away from typical antenatal settings.

These elements collectively contribute to an integrated support system that acknowledges the family's emotional needs, provides necessary education, and respects their need for a supportive environment. The study underscores the importance of simple yet profound actions that can significantly ease the burden on bereaved parents.

Moving Forward: Implementing Compassionate Stillbirth Care

The study's findings offer actionable insights for hospitals and healthcare providers seeking to improve their stillbirth care practices. By focusing on emotional support, educational guidance, and environmental sensitivity, healthcare facilities can create a more compassionate and supportive experience for bereaved families. These improvements are not only achievable but also essential for promoting long-term healing and well-being following the profound loss of a child.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What are the main areas that hospitals should focus on when supporting parents who have experienced a stillbirth?

The study identifies key themes crucial for hospital management of stillbirth, focusing on what bereaved parents value most. These themes encompass the crucial elements that hospitals and caregivers should focus on to provide meaningful support, which includes emotional support, educational guidance and environmental considerations.

Why is it so important to focus on emotional responses to grief when providing support after a stillbirth?

Recognizing and addressing the profound emotional impact of stillbirth with empathy and respect is critical. A compassionate emotional response acknowledges the intense grief experienced by bereaved parents. The approach involves validating their feelings, offering sincere condolences, and providing a safe space for them to express their emotions without judgment. This may also include access to counseling services or peer support groups to help them navigate their grief journey.

What does educational guidance involve when supporting parents through the grieving process after a stillbirth?

Clear and sensitive guidance through the grieving process involves helping parents understand what to expect emotionally and practically after a stillbirth. This includes explaining the stages of grief, offering resources for coping, and providing information about creating memories of their baby. Educational guidance also covers the available support resources, such as support groups, counseling services, and financial assistance programs.

Why are environmental considerations so important in stillbirth care, and what do they involve?

Environmental considerations are about ensuring that bereaved parents have adequate time and an appropriate physical space for grieving, away from typical antenatal settings. This might involve providing a private room where they can spend time with their baby, offering a quiet space for reflection, and minimizing exposure to the sights and sounds of ongoing pregnancies and newborns. Creating a supportive environment helps families feel more comfortable and respected during this difficult time.

What are the actionable insights that hospitals and healthcare providers can take from the study to improve their stillbirth care practices?

The study underscores the importance of simple yet profound actions that can significantly ease the burden on bereaved parents. Hospitals and healthcare providers seeking to improve their stillbirth care practices can focus on emotional support, educational guidance, and environmental sensitivity. By implementing compassionate stillbirth care, healthcare facilities can create a more supportive experience for bereaved families.