Psychological impact of stillbirth on fathers in the subsequent pregnancy and puerperium

Abstract

Background: Approximately 1 in 200 UK pregnancies ends in stillbirth. Although serious psychological effects of stillbirth on mothers are well established, much less is known about the impact of such loss on fathers.

Aims: To assess the psychological morbidity of fathers in the pregnancy and post-partum year subsequent to a stillbirth, to test within-couple effects and to identify risk factors.

Method: This was a community-based cohort study of 38 pregnant couples whose previous pregnancy had ended in stillbirth, and 38 pair-matched controls. Psychological assessments took place antenatally and at 6 weeks, 6 months and 1 year postnatally.

Results: Fathers in the index group experienced significant levels of anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder antenatally, but all of their symptoms remitted postnatally (after the birth of a live baby). Fathers' symptom levels were lower than those of mothers at all time points. In contrast to mothers, fathers experienced greater anxiety when a subsequent pregnancy (following stillbirth) was delayed.

Conclusions: The vulnerability of fathers to psychological distress during the pregnancy after a stillbirth needs to be recognised.