In December 2019 researchers from the UK published their review of the medical scientific literature to assess men’s experiences of grief and loss following stillbirth and neonatal death. The researchers were specifically looking at: (1) The impact of perinatal death for men; (2) The meaning of the loss for a father’s sense of identity; (3) The extent to which men were able to express grief while supporting their partners; and (4) how men’s experience of grief was helped by the support and care received by health professionals. Results showed that men appeared to experience less intense and enduring levels of psychological outcomes than women following stillbirth or a neonatal death but were more likely to engage in avoidance and coping behaviours such as increased alcohol consumption. It was seen that men felt that their role was primarily as a ‘supportive partner’ and that they were overlooked by health professionals.
Jones K et al. New understandings of fathers’ experiences of grief and loss following stillbirth and neonatal death: A scoping review. Midwifery. 2019 Dec;79:102531.