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| Authors | Y Muscat Baron M Cipriott R Cassar A Muscat Baron |
| Abstract | SANDS (Malta) was first established in 1994 when a group of health professionals and bereaved parents felt that a vacuum existed where support of the bereaved parents of stillbirths and neonatal deaths was concerned. It appeared convenient to organise the groups activities according to the status of its members. Support from SANDS developed into an initial hospital and later a community based service. The primary aim in the initial stages is to provide comfort for the mother and partner. Respecting the parents wishes and providing an understanding and supportive environment are the key issues of support. Practical support is also offered so as to diminish the burden on both mother and her partner. A questionnaire distributed at the end of each SANDS session indicated that the majority (69%) felt much better while the rest indicated that they felt better than before they attended SANDS. Following their attendance at SANDS the large majority (94%) were considering another pregnancy. In fact some 21 % of mothers did have a pregnancy within the first two years of attending SANDS. SANDS has undoubtedly helped several parents to deal with the traumatic experience however difficult the circumstances. The effective support offered by SANDS very much depends on the efficient co-ordination of both the Hospital and Community components. |
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| Journal | Malta Medical Journal |
| Volume | 15 Issue 1-2/suppl. 2003 |
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| Key words | neonatal death, SANDS, support, stillbirth |