A meta-ethnography exploring parents' experiences of fetal death and the care they received between diagnosis and birth induction.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Being notified that the fetus has died in utero is an extremely challenging situation for parents, involving emotional chaos, shock, and despair. Healthcare professionals also find it challenging to cope with these situations. The purpose of this study was to explore parents' experiences of fetal death and the care they received between diagnosis and birth induction.

Methods

We conducted a meta-ethnography in accordance with Noblit and Hare's seven phases and the eMERGe reporting guidance. Literature searches were conducted in CINAHL, MEDLINE, PubMed and PsycInfo in October and November 2022 and updated in August 2024. A PRISMA flowchart was used to illustrate the search process and quality assessment was performed according to CASP.

Results

Seven

SUBMITTER: Pettersson CH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11917500 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature