Abstract

This article is a theological reflection on the experience of stillbirth based on a study with the parents of twelve babies who were stillborn and cared for at an Irish maternity hospital. The experiences of parents were used to help deepen the theological and spiritual understanding of the reality and personal experience of this particular grief. The results from the qualitative study were integrated with a form of theological reflection ‘Green’s theological spiral’ as a way to reflect in a spiritual and theological way about stillbirth and to engage with some of the big personal questions that are raised for bereaved parents and those who provide pastoral care for them. The intention is to provide new insights for maternity healthcare chaplains and faith communities.