Healing After Stillbirth: The Intersection of Faith, Race & Healthcare

Background: Stillbirth is defined by the American Medical Association (AMA) as the death or loss of a baby at or beyond 20 weeks of the pregnancy gestation period.¹ The identification of the gestational period is significant as it is the primary variable in classifying the pregnancy loss as a stillbirth rather than a miscarriage. This separation is vital because although both terms signal the death of a fetus, the gestational age variable contributes to a profoundly distressing experience for the parents and has different clinical implications. Although many recent studies address various factors such as maternal health, fetal complications, and healthcare practices that contribute to stillbirth incidence, there has not been enough research about the aftermath and recovery of stillbirth for mothers and families across different variables, such as racial and religious affiliations and socioeconomic levels. Remarkably, there is a significant research gap in understanding the psychosocial experiences of Muslim Women of Color (WOC) after stillbirth, which this study aims to address.

Methods: A convergent mixed-method review methodology was utilized for this study, involving a comprehensive analysis of existing primary and secondary source literature from the years 2010 to 2024, consisting of research articles, scientific studies, and journal articles on the psychosocial experiences of Muslim women following pregnancy loss, their religious beliefs and practices, and the support provided by faith communities and spiritual leaders. Information gathered that is germane to the proposal included identifying religious denomination data, the role of community in the healing journey, exploring the lived experience of Muslim female patients in the West, a descriptive review of stillbirth management guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG), the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (RCOG), exploring the impact of burnout, emotional health, and mental health on OBGYN physicians medical decisions and risks of malpractice lawsuits in correlation with low physician empathy scores and patient dissatisfaction. The data gathered resulted in a thematic analysis of existing literature supporting new recommendations for stillbirth management protocols in healthcare settings, designing clinical spaces that accommodate patients who experienced stillbirth, and providing holistically adequate stillbirth support for bereaved mothers and families.

Results: Findings highlight gaps in the consistency of stillbirth management, the need for culturally competent care, and the importance of suitably designed clinic spaces for grief privacy. They also emphasize the influence of faith-based healing. Additionally, factors such as physician burnout and unconscious bias related to cultural context and appearance can significantly influence outcomes in cases of neonatal death and stillbirth, contributing to disparities in maternal-fetal healthcare.

Conclusion: This review highlights the urgent need for healthcare systems, providers, and policymakers to develop comprehensive, culturally and religiously sensitive frameworks for stillbirth aftercare. It also underscores the need to create effective policies that address maternal 5 disparities among Women of Color (WOC) and ensure that healthcare professionals (HCPs) receive adequate support for their well-being, which also influences neonatal and maternal outcomes.