Father’s grief overlooked following the loss of a baby, say UAE doctors

Both parents need extra support following a traumatic pregnancy such as a stillbirth or miscarriage.

ABU DHABI // The grief women feel after a stillbirth or miscarriage is also felt by their spouses, who should have access to psychological support, leading maternity experts say.

“Fathers can also suffer emotional trauma and depression following the loss of a child,” said Dr Bashir Salih, the chief of obstetric medicine at Corniche Hospital in Abu Dhabi.

Paul Bosio, chief medical officer at the hospital, said it was important that both parents had access to grief counselling after a traumatic delivery.

Focus on mental health is relatively new to the region and Dr Bosio said that in many cases, psychological support was not even available for women.

“The healthcare system here has services that place emphasis on the physical health rather than mental health,” he said.

“A women who has suffered a miscarriage may get follow-up care regarding the surgery she had, but not for the mental trauma she has endured.”

The same is true for their spouses, Dr Bosio said.

“The services in place are purely clinical from a physical perspective,” he said.

“We provide such a comprehensive level of tertiary care but it is all being focused on physical health. It is really time to focus on mental health.”

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Veena Luthra said miscarriage could lead couples to blame themselves, which could result in depression, anxiety or fears of having another baby.

Miscarriage was often an invisible loss with no funeral to provide closure, said Dr Luthra, who consults at the American Centre for Psychiatry and Neurology.

Deema Sihweil, clinical director and psychologist at Dubai’s Carbone Clinic, said those who had suffered a stillbirth, miscarriage or a birthing complication needed extra support.

“Pregnancy and birthing complications continue to occur, despite improving medical care,” Dr Sihweil said. “Experiencing a stillbirth or a miscarriage is a traumatic event and many families can experience grief.

“This significant loss can affect the overall functioning of families and it is critical for them to know what type of medical and mental health support is available.

“Most hospitals, medical clinics and mental health clinics are able to offer pregnancy, family or health counselling, or ought to at least be able to refer families to specialists in the area who are able to provide services.”

Dr Sihweil has seen many parents who have experienced traumatic complications during pregnancies or at birth.

“What is needed is more outreach at schools, mosques and churches, social groups, online forums and mental health professionals to inform the wider community of what support services are available.”