Maternity Healthcare Chaplains and Perinatal Post-Mortem Support and Understanding in the United Kingdom and Ireland: An Exploratory Study

Pregnancy loss among Muslim women: A narrative review

Background

Diversity in spirituality, religion, and cultural norms among women leads to varying attitudes, grieving processes, and coping mechanisms after a pregnancy loss. Despite this, there is a limited understanding of grief, coping mechanisms, and mental health outcomes following pregnancy loss among Muslim women.

Objectives

This study aims to examine the impact of religion, spirituality, and faith communities on the psychological health of Muslim women during pregnancy loss.

Method

We systematically searched six databases with the key concepts, 'pregnancy loss' and 'Muslim women,' in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, APA PsycINFO, and Academic Search. The search strategy was developed in line with the PCOT framework: Population - Muslim Women with "pregnancy loss," "miscarriage," "stillbirth, Context - "religion," faith, "spirituality," "faith communities," Outcome - "religious practices," perception, coping mechanism, "psychological health."Studies were screened, their quality appraised, and narratively sized in line with the review aim. The review protocol was registered at Open Science Framework (OSF): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/52QTA.

Result

Findings from the reviewed articles addressed the following themes: (a) Overwhelming Grief and Loss, (b) social isolation and stigmatization, (c) impact on mental health, and (d) trust in divine destiny. Islamic beliefs were strongly featured in how Muslim women processed pregnancy loss. Concepts such as tawakkul and yaqeen (trusting and certainty) were used to interpret pregnancy loss, with many women acknowledging that their Islamic faith eased the sorrow of pregnancy loss, facilitated acceptance, and strengthened their Islamic belief system.

Conclusion

This review revealed that there is limited information on Muslim women's experience of pregnancy loss. Professionals helping Muslim women dealing with the grief of pregnancy loss need to be aware that spirituality and faith communities play a major role in shaping their coping mechanisms. Future studies on the development of culturally congruent bereavement care models and supportive interventions for Muslim women facing pregnancy loss.

Perinatal autopsy in Ghana: Healthcare workers knowledge and attitude

Background

Perinatal mortality refers to stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. Stillbirth, the death of a foetus from 28 weeks or with a birth weight below 1,000 g, and early neonatal deaths, the death of a new-born within 24 h of delivery, are among the most distressing global health problems, with approximately 2 million stillbirths occurring annually. Although a post-mortem examination of the stillborn baby is essential for understanding and learning the cause of stillbirth, many couples decline the procedure. Sub-Saharan Africa has one of the highest stillbirth rates in the world, yet there is a dearth of studies on post-mortem uptake from the region.

Aim

To explore healthcare professionals' views and perceptions of perinatal autopsy in Ghana.

Methods

Mixed-method approach consisted of semi-structured interviews and an electronic cross-sectional survey to evaluate the views and perceptions of healthcare professionals at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital on autopsy for stillbirths and early neonatal deaths. Descriptive quantitative data were summarised in frequencies and percentages, and statistical results and descriptions were tabulated and coded in terms of types of barriers. For the qualitative aspect, the audio-taped interviews were transcribed, themes generated, and direct quotes and descriptions were coded for all knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and practices concerning the barriers and facilitators for post-mortem.

Results

Ninety-nine healthcare professionals participated. No participant had formal training regarding counselling for perinatal autopsy and 40% had " no idea " who is responsible for counselling and obtaining consent for a perinatal autopsy. Forty-four percent (44%) of the participants knew of only the "Conventional/ Full" autopsy and <4% were aware of less invasive methods of performing an autopsy. Qualitative data showed healthcare worker influence, religious and financial considerations impede the implementation of perinatal autopsies. Despite the low uptake of perinatal autopsies, interviews from healthcare workers suggest acceptance rates would improve if parents knew about different options, especially less invasive procedures.

Conclusion

At Ghana's largest referral centre, perinatal autopsy counselling and uptake are at extremely low levels. Most healthcare professionals have little knowledge, skills, and capacity to advise parents regarding perinatal autopsies. Training is needed to update the workforce on recommended perinatal autopsy practices.

Experiences Related to Patients and Families' Expression of Spiritual Needs or Spiritual Support Within Healthcare Settings During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review

The aim of this review was to explore the evidence surrounding patients and families' expression of spirituality, spiritual needs or spiritual support within healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of nursing practice. While there is a plethora of research and publications related to COVID-19 and there are reports of increasing attention to nurses' psychological distress, there is little understanding of experiences related to patients' expression of spirituality, spiritual needs or spiritual support within healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic. A scoping review was conducted to search and select potential studies and undertake data extraction and synthesis. Twenty-one studies published between March 2020 and August 2021 were identified. Themes and subthemes that emerged from analysis of the studies included spiritual needs, new awareness of spiritual needs and spiritual interventions, chaplaincy referrals, and improved well-being. The potential requirement for spiritual care during these times has anecdotally never been greater. At the same time the existent ethical challenges persist, and nurses remain reticent about the topic of spirituality. This is evident from the clear lack of attention to this domain within the published nursing literature and a limited focus on spiritual care interventions or the experiences and spiritual needs of patients and their families. Greater attention is needed internationally to improve nurses' competence to provide spiritual care and to develop and advance nursing and research practice in the field of spiritual care.