ABSTRACT
The allocation of a midwife to a woman presenting with a known stillbirth should be one to which prior thought and consideration has been given, but this was not felt to be a consistent practice. Some respondents considered providing care to a mother with an impending stillbirth to be a heavy professional burden. Many factors limit the professional development of a midwife with regard to stillbirth. Midwives may avoid the care of women with stillbirths not because of previous negative experiences but from feelings of inadequacy and perceived lack of capabilities resulting from a lack of experience. The idea that approaching an anticipated stillbirth constructively rather than negatively could help to engender a positive birthing experience was found in Sophie’s reflective narrative. The completion of stillbirth documentation seemed to weigh heavily on some of the midwives interviewed. J. M. Gardner identifies that following a stillbirth midwives endeavour to provide the mother with mementos and keepsakes.
