Impact of holding the stillborn baby on mental health and well-being
| Held % (n) | Did not hold % (n) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N=394 | N=74 | OR (95% CI) | ORadj (95% CI) | |
| Mental and physical health 3 months after birth (n=468) | ||||
| Depression (p=0.358) | 44.4 (175) | 37.8 (28) | 1.31 (0.78 to 2.20) | 1.21 (0.71 to 2.07) |
| Anxiety* (p=0.049) | 41.4 (163) | 28.4 (21) | 1.86* (1.07 to 3.24) | 1.64 (0.93 to 2.90) |
| PTSD symptoms** (p=0.009) | 53.8 (212) | 36.5 (27) | 1.93* (1.15 to 3.24) | 1.70 (0.99 to 2.90) |
| Poor physical health (p=0.485) | 12.4 (49) | 16.2 (12) | 0.70 (0.35 to 1.40) | 0.72 (0.34 to 1.48) |
| Mental and physical health 9 months after birth (n=468) | ||||
| Depression (p=0.112) | 25.6 (101) | 16.2 (12) | 1.71 (0.88 to 3.31) | 1.65 (0.84 to 3.24) |
| Anxiety* (p=0.014) | 32.7 (129) | 17.6 (13) | 2.26* (1.19 to 4.27) | 2.12* (1.11 to 4.04) |
| PTSD symptoms* (p=0.017) | 38.3 (151) | 23.0 (17) | 2.01* (1.13 to 3.61) | 1.77 (0.98 to 3.21) |
| Poor physical health (p=0.541) | 4.3 (17) | 6.8 (5) | 0.73 (0.24 to 2.25) | 0.91 (0.28 to 2.96) |
| Relationship difficulties 3 months after birth | ||||
| With partner (p=0.699) | 17.5 (69) | 14.9 (11) | 1.20 (0.60 to 2.39) | 1.07 (0.53 to 2.17) |
| With family (p=0.056) | 22.8 (90) | 12.2 (9) | 2.11* (1.01 to 4.41) | 1.98 (0.94 to 4.18) |
| Relationship difficulties 9 months after birth | ||||
| With partner (p=0.999) | 8.9 (35) | 8.1 (6) | 1.09 (0.44 to 2.69) | 1.03 (0.41 to 2.58) |
| With family* (p=0.012) | 14.0 (55) | 2.7 (2) | 5.77* (1.37 to 24.21) | 5.33* (1.26 to 22.53) |
ORadj: with adjustment for multiple pregnancy, ethnicity and fertility treatment.
*p<0.05; **p<0.01; ***p<0.001.
PTSD, post-traumatic stress disorder.