Theme: Building Capacity: Training, Systems, and Sustainable Interventions: Abstract 20: Stillbirth and Bereavement Care Practices and Barriers - A Pilot Study from a Tertiary Hospital

Abstract Background: Bereavement care plays an essential role in helping mothers cope with the psychological and emotional burden of stillbirth. In India, however, such care remains poorly defined, inconsistently delivered, and unsupported by formal guidelines. The lack of structured systems leaves mothers vulnerable and healthcare providers uncertain in how to respond. Objective: To examine existing bereavement care practices following stillbirth, explore the challenges faced by healthcare providers, and identify strategies for improvement. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with healthcare providers. A semi-structured, validated questionnaire was used to assess current practices, provider awareness, barriers to offering support, and opportunities for strengthening bereavement care at institutional and systemic levels. Results: Healthcare providers commonly reported limited awareness of bereavement care and discomfort in providing support, largely due to insufficient training and professional inexperience. Formal institutional protocols were lacking, and no systems were in place to address the emotional toll on providers themselves, many of whom described experiencing secondary trauma and distress when caring for bereaved families. Conclusion: Bereavement care after stillbirth in India remains underdeveloped. Strengthening this area will require raising awareness, developing standardised guidelines, and integrating bereavement training into medical and nursing education. Embedding structured, compassionate bereavement support within routine maternity care can ensure dignity for mothers and provide much-needed support for healthcare providers.