The International Day of Awareness of Perinatal Mourning is a reminder that France has bad indicators of stillbirth.
This October 15 is the International Day of Awareness of Perinatal Bereavement. In France, 7,000 families are affected each year by the death of a baby during pregnancy. According to 2013 Euro-Peristat report, the stillbirth rate in the country is 9.2 per 1,000 births. It is one of the most important in Europe.
Incomplete calculations and medical reasons
France’s poor record is the result of several factors. There is a problem with calculating the statistics. They do not differentiate between medical termination of pregnancy (IMG) and stillbirth. An IMG takes place when the pregnancy is life-threatening to the mother or if the fetus has a serious and incurable disease at diagnosis. They are the most numerous.
The second explanation is medical. The high age of French mothers (19% are over 35) is a risk factor. The same goes for multiple pregnancies – always more numerous – obesity or smoking, which concerns 17% of mothers. The screening for congenital anomalies and the practice of IMG are also late, which explains the high rate of stillbirths.
The income level of families is a final explanatory factor. The medical follow-up during pregnancy is not of the same quality and the same frequency in households with moderate or low income. It is through these tests that we can detect a disease in the fetus or a problem in the mother.
A taboo around perinatal bereavement
Many associative initiatives take place on the occasion of the International Day of Awareness of Perinatal Bereavement. In Paris, in front of the Robert Debré hospital (19th arrondissement), the association “Une marche pour nos anges” is launching a silent walk. In Reims or La-Roche-sur-Yon, other local associations organized ceremonies. On Sunday, October 13, the association “L’Envolée – Deuil perinatal” set up a march in the streets of Tours (Indre-et-Loire) in homage to the “little angels” as the parents who have lost a child call them. child before childbirth. But families denounce the lack of national initiative.
The death of a child is always a shock for parents, who often deplore the lack of support. The death of a baby during pregnancy is surrounded by great modesty and a legal vacuum. No ceremony or burial is planned in these situations. Since 2009, the Paris funeral services have organized quarterly ceremonies to allow parents to meditate. The example has still not been reproduced in other cities.
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