From the imaginary to reality: the experience of bereaved parents

Abstract

This is a qualitative study grounded in Heidegger's existential phenomenology, which aimed to understand the meaning of infant death to the bereaved parents. We interviewed six parents who have experienced the death of an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Three categories emerged: the infant's death: shattered dreams, experiencing the infant's death; and overcoming mourning. Based on the study we apprehended that the parents experience intense suffering in their mourning, since the infant's death represents the death of a dream. Thus, nursing needs to take an attitude for care and welcome the bereaved parents, helping them to face the process in a less painful manner.