Abstract

This thesis focuses on the impacts that intrapartum death (the death of an infant after the onset of labour but before they are born), and other serious perinatal adverse events, have on healthcare professionals. Different research methods are used to describe the scale of the impact – both personally and professionally – that these events have on healthcare professionals. Obstetricians and midwives are profoundly and negatively affected by personal involvement in an intrapartum death. There is a lack of effective support strategies for maternity healthcare professionals to help them deal with the impact of adverse events. By and large they receive no training in dealing with intrapartum death, nor do they receive any education on self-care strategies. Two studies aim to address these gaps by evaluating potential support strategies for maternity healthcare professionals which could be rolled out locally and nationally. More research is needed to improve the support that maternity healthcare professionals are given in the aftermath of these adverse events.