Abstract
Introduction: Stillbirth (fetal death after 20 weeks gestation) occurs twice as often for Black mothers compared to White in the United States (Gregory et al., 2024), yet limited research has explored how Black mothers cope with stillbirth-related grief and distress (Boyden et al., 2014; Henry et al., 2023). Evidence suggests coping behaviors after perinatal loss differ across cultural and racial groups (Henry et al., 2024; Moore et al., 2022), yet most studies reflect mostly White samples. Understanding how Black mothers navigate the grieving process is essential to inform culturally responsive care and bereavement support (Fenstermacher & Hupcey, 2019; Henry et al., 2023). This qualitative study was to explore how Black mothers coped with stillbirth and identify factors that influenced their healing process.
Methods: This qualitative descriptive study included 7 self-identified Black mothers who had experienced a stillbirth within the past five years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling through online and community-based support networks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person or virtually and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The research team independently reviewed transcripts, developed initial codes, and met to consolidate and refine codes into themes and subthemes reflecting participants’ coping behaviors and grief journeys.
Results: Four overarching themes emerged from the data, encompassing 16 subthemes. Participants described the immediate aftermath of their loss (“At First”) as a period of shock and emotional numbness. Participants identified “Things That Helped,” including supportive family, spiritual practices, support from other bereaved mothers, maintaining a connection with the baby, and proactively managing their own grief journey. In contrast, “Things That Didn’t Help,” such as dismissal or lack of empathy from healthcare providers and others were deeply hurtful. Isolation and silence were equally unhelpful. Over time (“And Now”), participants began to feel a deeper sense of meaning in their lives, the continued presence of their babies, and newfound acceptance of the loss. They continued to fear repeat pregnancy loss.
Discussion: Our findings describe key points on the grief journeys of Black mothers bereaved by stillbirth and highlight factors which may aid or impede healing. These findings can inform culturally responsive bereavement support interventions for this group.
Notes
References:
1. Boyden, J. Y., Kavanaugh, K., Issel, L. M., Eldeirawi, K., & Meert, K. L. (2014). Experiences of African American parents following perinatal or pediatric death: A literature review. Death Studies, 38(6-10), 374-380. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2013.766656
2. Fenstermacher, K. H., & Hupcey, J. E. (2019). Support for young Black urban women after perinatal loss. MCN American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 44(1), 13-19. https://doi.org/10.1097/nmc.0000000000000485
3. Gold, K. J., Boggs, M. E., Plegue, M. A., & Andalibi, N. (2022). Online support groups for perinatal loss: A pilot feasibility study for women of color. Cyberpsycholy, Behavior, and Social Networking, 25(8), 534-539. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2021.0304
4. Gregory, E. C. W., Valenzuela, C. P., & Martin, J. A. (2024). Fetal mortality in the United States: Final 2021–2022 and 2022–Provisional 2023. In Vital Statistics Rapid Release Reports. National Center for Health Statistics (US) https://doi.org/10.15620/cdc/162209
5. Henry, C. J., Kelly, U., Dunlop, A. L., Paul, S., Chandler, R. D., Christiansen-Lindquist, L., & Song, M. K. (2023). Relationships between strong Black woman belief, coping behaviors, perceived social support, and psychological distress symptoms for Black mothers after stillbirth. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health. https://doi.org/10.1111/jmwh.13576
6. Henry, C. J., Mkuu, R., Lemas, D. J., Lee, A., & Scogin, M. (2024). Call for improved fourth trimester care after stillbirth. Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing, 53(1), 26-33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jogn.2023.09.002
7. Hollins Martin, C. J., & Reid, K. (2022). A scoping review of therapies used to treat psychological trauma post perinatal bereavement. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2021.2021477
8. Jones, K., McAlister, B. S., Haas, B. K., & Duke, G. (2021). Experiences of African American Mothers Following the Death of Their Infants. Nurs Womens Health, 25(6), 412-421. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2021.09.004
9. Moore, S. E., Jones-Eversley, S. D., Tolliver, W. F., Wilson, B., & Harmon, D. K. (2022). Cultural responses to loss and grief among Black Americans: Theory and practice implications for clinicians. Death Studies, 46(1), 189-199. https://doi.org/10.1080/07481187.2020.1725930
Sigma Membership
Epsilon Omega
Type
Presentation
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Descriptive/Correlational
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Health Equity or Social Determinants of Health, Hospice Care, Palliative Care, End-of-Life Care, Stress and Coping, Still Birth, Perinatal Death, Women of Color, African Americans, Mothers, Grief
Recommended Citation
Henry, Carrie J.; Kaylor, Sara; and Scogin, Mallory, "“I Started Healing Myself”: Black Mothers’ Grief Journeys After Stillbirth" (2026). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 32.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2026/presentations_2026/32
Conference Name
37th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Conference Year
2026
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record. All permission requests should be directed accordingly and not to the Sigma Repository. All submitting authors or publishers have affirmed that when using material in their work where they do not own copyright, they have obtained permission of the copyright holder prior to submission and the rights holder has been acknowledged as necessary.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
Date of Issue
2026-07-23
“I Started Healing Myself”: Black Mothers’ Grief Journeys After Stillbirth
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Introduction: Stillbirth (fetal death after 20 weeks gestation) occurs twice as often for Black mothers compared to White in the United States (Gregory et al., 2024), yet limited research has explored how Black mothers cope with stillbirth-related grief and distress (Boyden et al., 2014; Henry et al., 2023). Evidence suggests coping behaviors after perinatal loss differ across cultural and racial groups (Henry et al., 2024; Moore et al., 2022), yet most studies reflect mostly White samples. Understanding how Black mothers navigate the grieving process is essential to inform culturally responsive care and bereavement support (Fenstermacher & Hupcey, 2019; Henry et al., 2023). This qualitative study was to explore how Black mothers coped with stillbirth and identify factors that influenced their healing process.
Methods: This qualitative descriptive study included 7 self-identified Black mothers who had experienced a stillbirth within the past five years. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling through online and community-based support networks. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in-person or virtually and transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. The research team independently reviewed transcripts, developed initial codes, and met to consolidate and refine codes into themes and subthemes reflecting participants’ coping behaviors and grief journeys.
Results: Four overarching themes emerged from the data, encompassing 16 subthemes. Participants described the immediate aftermath of their loss (“At First”) as a period of shock and emotional numbness. Participants identified “Things That Helped,” including supportive family, spiritual practices, support from other bereaved mothers, maintaining a connection with the baby, and proactively managing their own grief journey. In contrast, “Things That Didn’t Help,” such as dismissal or lack of empathy from healthcare providers and others were deeply hurtful. Isolation and silence were equally unhelpful. Over time (“And Now”), participants began to feel a deeper sense of meaning in their lives, the continued presence of their babies, and newfound acceptance of the loss. They continued to fear repeat pregnancy loss.
Discussion: Our findings describe key points on the grief journeys of Black mothers bereaved by stillbirth and highlight factors which may aid or impede healing. These findings can inform culturally responsive bereavement support interventions for this group.
Description
Although stillbirth is twice as likely for Black women compared to White, little is known about Black mothers’ coping behaviors after stillbirth. Evidence suggests coping behaviors differ by racial and cultural group, making culturally appropriate support critical for these mothers. We explored Black mothers’ grief journeys after stillbirth and identified several factors that aided or impeded their healing. Our study can inform culturally responsive bereavement interventions for this group.