Perinatal palliative care after a stillbirth-Midwives' experiences of using Cubitus baby

Abstract

Background: Usually, parents remain at the hospital for two or three days after a stillbirth in Sweden, and the routine until recently has been to place the baby in a refrigerator during the night. A device, the Cubitus Baby, a specially designed cot with cooling blocks, was implemented in all 47 delivery wards during 2013 and 2014.

Aim: To investigate the midwives' experiences of using the device when supporting parents after the stillbirth.

Method: Questionnaires were completed by midwives, and a single open-ended question was analysed using content analysis.

Findings: 154 midwives responded. Four categories were identified, with two subgroups in each category: Feelings of dignity (Satisfactory feelings in working with grief; Design and function), Caring cooling (The cooling function; A cold baby), Time for farewell (Time together; Time to make your own choice) and Satisfying feelings for the parents (The parents and Cubitus Baby; The possibility for bonding).

Conclusions: The midwives found that this practice provided a more dignified and worthwhile form of care. There is no need to separate the stillborn baby from the parents during their stay at the hospital. In modern perinatal palliative care, it is not justifiable to place a stillborn baby in a refrigerator.

Keywords: Cubitus baby; Palliative care; Perinatal; Stillbirth.