The Nursing Voice - March 2021

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Page 8 March 2021 The Nursing Voice Impact of Crystal Healing on Maternal Grief Following Perinatal or Newborn Loss Holly Woodruff MSN, RN Blessing-Rieman College of Nursing & Health Sciences Abstract Investigating the healing power of crystals on maternal grief following a perinatal or newborn loss was researched in the qualitative study. It was designed using interpretive phenomenology, guided by the Theory of Integral Nursing as a framework (Smith & Parker, 2015). The literature review yielded information on maternal grief and how it differs from the loss of an older or adult child as compared to the loss of an infant, either before or shortly after birth. A strong indication is given for grief support in these mothers. Ancient and modern teachings of healing properties believed to be attributed to rose quartz and Apache Tears crystals were integrated as a support tool for maternal grief following a perinatal or newborn loss. This study was completed by sampling members of a support group and integrating crystals as a method of grief support. The participants reported their feelings towards carrying two specific crystals and how that made them feel. All participants reported positive feedback after carrying the crystals. Keywords: Maternal grief, crystal healing, perinatal, newborn, death Approximately 20% of all pregnancies are miscarried, and out of every 200 births, one stillbirth occurs (Rice et al., 2017). Despite the prevalence of such a loss throughout society, a minimal amount of research regarding parental grief has resulted in support that is inadequate in long-term care (Farrales et al., 2020). Bereaved mothers are consistently at a higher risk for physical manifestations of intense grief, including anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Farrales et al.). Crystals are natural forms of stable and organized matter that form deep within the earth. The frequency of energetic vibrations for each type of gemstone has a long and ancient history of properties specific to the type of crystal. Due to the stability of the crystal, they are said to be an endless source of consistent energy (Truter, 2006). For centuries gemstones and crystals have been used by humans for a variety of reasons, including not only decoration but also protection and healing. Crystals are thought to be a natural source of healing and balance from the earth. Ancient accounts provide very detailed instructions on use for healing properties (Truter). Throughout history, crystals and gemstones have been regarded universally as sources of wisdom and healing from their time of formation (Perrakis, 2019). Dossey pioneered combining ancient healing methods and philosophies to support modern medicine. She was instrumental in recognizing and researching holistic nursing care and advancing how balancing body, mind, and spirit are integral for true healing (Gustafson, 2015). Bereaved mothers supported by carrying crystals chosen specifically for grief healing build upon Dossey's teachings. The purpose of this study was to understand how carrying the two crystals influenced the participants' perceptions of grief following a perinatal or newborn loss. The research question proposed was, "Do healing crystals assist mothers in the development of healthy patterns of grieving?" Literature Review A literature review was conducted on maternal grief and crystal healing as separate topics. Searching articles on perinatal and newborn loss yielded several results. Alternative therapies have been primarily ignored by modern healthcare or thought of only in terms of the placebo effect (Gustafson, 2015). Maternal Grief Throughout society, a certain amount of shame and guilt occurs with mothers who have experienced miscarriage or stillbirth (Farrales et al., 2020). These mothers may not be served well by a support group whose members have experienced the death of an older or an adult child. Loss before or during birth is particularly difficult for mothers socially as family and friends oftentimes display words and actions that demonstrate a feeling the baby was not real. Mothers reported feeling invisible and isolated due to reluctance from family and friends to discuss the dead child. Parental grief also included dreaming of the lifetime of memories they will never share with this child (Hvidtjorn et al., 2018). Perinatal Loss Mothers described feeling validated in the profoundness of their grief when a caregiver or members of their social circle acknowledged the child existed by calling the baby by name. Although the babies have died, the women are still mothers (Farrales et al., 2020). Mothers who have lost a child are at high risk for the development of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, and complicated grief. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V) added complicated grief as an official diagnosis. The younger the child at the time of death, the greater the intensity of the grief (Farrales et al.). Women who felt supported by family, friends, and support groups reported their experiences with grief and depression as being much lower than those who do not. Feelings of isolation, blame, and stigma frequently happens in mothers who felt a lack of support (Shakespeare et al., 2018). Parents experiencing a loss perceive a negative experience immediately after the loss and will describe extreme distress in vivid detail even years after the death. The support level is crucial in meeting the individual and unique needs of these mothers (Basile & Thorsteinsson, 2015). A comparison study between Canadian and Brazilian women who experienced a stillbirth indicated that Canadian mothers were more likely to attend a support group than Brazilian mothers. This resulted in a significant reduction in the level of grief 80% of the time (Paris et al., 2016). Newborn Loss Many parents who experienced the death of a newborn have reported using religious and or spiritual coping skills following the loss. Mothers indicate feelings of emotional emptiness and devastation. Activities of a spiritual nature can assist in a reduction of manifesting symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Relating to others who have experienced a similar loss assists bereaved mothers in mental health improvement (Hawthorne et al., 2016). Crystal Healing Humans have a long and rich history of appreciation and fascination for gemstones. Ancient royals such as Cleopatra and Queen Puabi of Sumatra both prized lapis lazuli and felt as if somehow the deep blue stone enhanced personal intuition and power. According to the Mineralogical Society of America, approximately 3,800 minerals have been identified and are known to exist on the planet. In the metaphysical context, gemstone, mineral, and crystal are terms used interchangeably. No matter which term is used, crystals are an actual and robust history of what exactly was occurring in the world during the period of formation (Perrakis, 2019). Rose Quartz Rose quartz was the first crystal chosen for this study. Greek mythology for rose quartz states it springs from the eternal union of Aphrodite and Adonis (Perrakis, 2019). Pink colored crystals of the mineral quartz are found in many worldwide locations. The intensity of the pink color can vary from very light to an almost opaque intensity (King, 2020). Crystal healing meanings for rose quartz all center with love. Reiki practitioners and other energy healers note feelings of calmness and serenity when holding a rose quartz crystal. Love for self and others are thought to be enhanced and supported by rose quartz (Magner, 2019). Rose quartz encourages letting go of heartbreak. It is believed to heal the heart chakra, which is the body's center of love. Rose quartz gently supports acceptance and moving forward with life (Crystal Curious, 2020c). Apache Tears Apache Tears crystals are known as a form of obsidian. Obsidian is a volcanic glass that is formed when molten rock is rapidly cooled. In any landmass with volcanic activity, deposits of all types of obsidian can be found. In modern medicine, obsidian blades can be used inside of surgical scalpels whose primary use is extremely precise surgery (King, 2020). The number one healing property known for Apache Tears is grief support. The legend of Apache Tears states grieving Apache Families cried and grieved so hard the crystal can relieve some of the pain from grief. Deep emotional trauma requires slow and steady energy, which is provided by Apache Tears Obsidian (Crystal Curious, 2020b). Apache Tears allow one to connect with all others who have grieved before us. As in perinatal or newborn loss, a mother may express feelings of attempting to keep her head above water during maternal grief, and Apache Tears is a perfect crystal for this need. Processing grief and pain allow humans to recognize these feelings in others and perhaps allow grief and pain to become a spiritual teacher. Apache Tears is thought to support anyone who is suffering (Crystal Curious, 2020a). Methods Mothers from a local monthly grief support group participated in this qualitative study. All of the women who attend have either had a perinatal or newborn loss. A questionnaire was developed, including pre and post-study questions. Participation was on a voluntary basis. The theory of integral nursing and interpretive phenomenology served as a guide in designing the research. Study Design Interpretive phenomenology or hermeneutics served as the basis for the study design. This qualitative method includes understanding and interpreting human experience rather than only describing it. Understanding the phenomenon requires supplementary analysis of artistic expressions, such as the healing properties of crystals that have been handed down through the generations from ancient times (Polit & Beck, 2017). Participants in the study were given the freedom to share their stories of how carrying the crystals impacted their feelings. Framework Dossey's theory of integral nursing is roundly considered a grand theory (Smith & Parker, 2015). Dr. Dossey's theory builds on the philosophical foundation of Florence Nightingale's legacy. One cannot have true healing unless the body, mind, and spirit are in balance. This theory includes that nursing is not just a science but also an art. She was a pioneer in not only administering medication for pain but also teaching a patient to utilize other modalities such as guided imagery to enhance a patient's relaxation and reduce anxiety (Smith & Parker). Dossey's theory of integral nursing forms a natural framework for a study incorporating crystal healing into support for bereaved mothers. Sampling Mothers who have experienced a perinatal or newborn loss are a vulnerable population and must be treated with respect and sensitivity. Before beginning the study, approval was obtained and approved from the Independent Review Board at Blessing Hospital, where the support group meets. Participation in this study was on a voluntary basis. Women who attend a support group were recruited by the researcher when they attended a regular meeting. Nine women were in attendance, and each was given a printed copy of the consent form. Signing the form was not required since the acceptance of the two crystals and completing the questionnaire was interpreted as consent. Research Tool The researcher distributed a questionnaire asking them about their individual stories of loss, their feelings regarding the loss, coping skills, knowledge of crystal healing, and their feelings on carrying the two crystals to assist with healing. One attendee did not want to fill out the questionnaire; however, she did request she be given the two crystals, and her request was granted. One small rose quartz was distributed to each participant, followed by one Apache Tears crystal. Once each woman was holding the two crystals, the researcher presented education on the healing properties of each one. The women were instructed
The Nursing Voice March 2021 Page 9 to carry the crystals for the entire next month. After the month, the women would return to the group and answer questions regarding their feelings about carrying the crystals. The questions included not only carrying the crystals but how they felt if they forgot to carry them. There were also asked if they felt better, worse, or the same after carrying the crystals. All of the women were allowed to keep the crystals at the completion of the study. Mothers participating in the study had experienced many different types of losses. Participant #1, a 29-year-old mother of three, stated, "I felt as though my life had ended as if time just stopped for me while everyone else kept moving forward, while I am stuck in a moment in time that will never move forward," when describing the loss of her two-month-old daughter from shaken baby syndrome by the caregiver. Participant #2, a 34-year-old mother of nine, reported, "The loss made me feel guilty and heartbroken," when she spoke of the full-term stillbirth of her daughter. Participant #3, a 34-year-old mother of four, described her feelings after the loss of her 18-week pregnancy as "I fell apart. Somedays, I couldn't get out of bed. I have a lot of guilt because I was still nursing my 18-monthold son when I lost my baby. I thought it was my fault for taking away all of his nutrients." Participant #4, a 30-year-old mother of four, developed a slow leak of amniotic fluid at 20 weeks and eventually had to be induced with her daughter. She describes her feelings as, "My family thought I was silly for wanting a funeral. I feel guilty for not being able to give her a good home inside me. I am sad, and I still miss her." Participant #5, a 24-year-old mother of two, lost her two-month-old daughter to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, and she states, "I was and still am devastated. The loss of my daughter changed my life drastically. I am still afraid something will happen to my son; he's two." Participant #6, a 28-year-old mother of three, lost her son shortly after birth from a genetic disorder that was incompatible with life. She states, "It wasn't like I didn't know it was coming, but I still hoped for a miracle. We had him here in Quincy, but there was no transport team from a bigger hospital here. I still feel some regret about that, but my nurse said I loved my baby, and that is what really counted. We had testing done, but all it showed was a freak genetic disorder that should not happen again." Participant #7, a 26-year-old first-time mother, lost her daughter during delivery, and she states, "For a while I was numb. I didn't want to feel anything at all. I just wanted to hide at home. I cut hair, and I didn't want to go back to work and have to tell people we didn't bring home a baby. Everyone seemed like they were walking on eggshells when they were around me. My sister-in-law suggested I look for a support group, and that is how I found SHARE. She came with me to the first meeting." Participant #8, a 35-year-old mother of three, lost her son to placental abruption, and she states," My feelings were all over the place. I didn't want to get out of bed or leave the house for any reason. The funeral was horrific. Lots of family came, and even some of the nurses from the hospital. In the picture we displayed, he looked absolutely perfect. Two years later, we had another baby boy, and while we are so blessed and lucky, I still feel a tremendous sense of guilt." Results Eight mothers elected to participate in the study. Each participant described a positive experience carrying the crystals. Common themes emerged from the answers written by each mother, despite the differences in each situation. Themes The overall emerging theme was how the presence of the two crystals allowed the mothers to feel as if they were not alone. The literature reflects feelings of isolation and stigma oftentimes overwhelms bereaved moms. These feelings are associated with complicated grieving and place the women at a higher risk for developing posttraumatic stress syndrome (Hvidtjorn et al., 2018). Participant #2 stated, "I feel as if I am not alone. It gives me comfort to have them because I know I am not alone. I feel less sad when I have them. I feel supported." Participant # 3 stated, "When I notice them, I think about my friends from the group. They understand me." Loss of an infant increases the association of morbidity and mortality, with up to a third of mothers reporting professional diagnoses with clinical depression (Hawthorne et al.). The distress of bereaved mothers has been found to shorten with the support that is planned (Basile & Thorsteinsson, 2015). Many reported thinking about the other participants from the group. Participant #3 stated, "When I notice them, I think about my friends from the group. They understand me." Several stated coming to the group was a safe place to speak about their pain and feelings of guilt. Every single one of the mothers stated they felt better after carrying the crystals. Participant #1 stated," The negativity that has followed me lifts away when I carry crystals." Participant #4 stated, "If I felt myself starting to feel out of control and wanting to cry hysterically, I would get them out of my pocket and squeeze them in my hand. I can feel myself calming down and becoming more rational." The research question proposed, do healing crystals assist mothers in the development of healthy patterns of grieving?" All eight mothers reported that, yes, the crystals made a difference in their lives. All of the participants planned to keep the rose quartz and the Apache Tears crystals and had plans for continued use. The literature supports a maternal need for continued support following the initial hospitalization. Long-term support is necessary once mothers are discharged into the community and expected to acclimate (Farrales et al., 2020). Limitations The main limitation of this study would be the demographics of the sample. All of the participants were identified as Caucasian and located within one of three mid-western states that border each other along the Mississippi River. Rural or small-town locations were the only two reported geographic locations. It would be recommended to repeat the study at other support groups in urban areas. Recruitment needs to focus on searching for mothers who have a variety of cultural backgrounds. There were no fathers, significant others, or samesex partners or spouses participating in the study. Including paternal participants and significant samesex others may also provide more varied results. A loss impacts entire families, including siblings of the deceased baby and or grandparents. Future studies could also include these family members as well. One of the strengths of this study would be the ease of replicating the project. Rose quartz and Apache Tears crystals are abundant and inexpensive. The universal positive impact on this particular sample group cannot be denied, and obtaining results from other locations would enhance reliability. Conclusion This study sought to integrate crystal healing into support for bereaved mothers who experienced perinatal or newborn loss. The literature review supports these women are at an increased risk for developing mental health complications, which can manifest into a reduction in quality of life for many years. Crystals and their use as tools for healing and wisdom have been around for centuries. Knowledge has been handed down through legends and myths since the beginning of time, yet they are ignored by research into modern nursing interventions (Magner, 2019). The results of this study were overwhelmingly positive. Current healthcare providers are searching for non-invasive methods to treat physical pain and a variety of other symptoms. As Dossey pioneered developing, integrating alternative methods of healing into her practice, nurses continue to advance and improve care for patients (Smith & Parker, 2015). Crystal healing demonstrates another avenue for further exploration, especially when it comes to assisting a largely forgotten segment of society, such as those who grieve a child either through perinatal or newborn loss. References Basile, M. L., & Thorsteinsson, E. B. (2015). Parents' evaluation of support in Australian hospitals following stillbirth. Peer J., 3, 1049. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/ peerj.1049 Crystal Curious. (2020a). Apache Tears meaning & properties. https://crystalcurious.com/crystals/apachetears/ Crystal Curious. (2020b). Apache Tears spiritual properties: Stone of recovery. https://reikigemwellness. com/2019/12/06/apache-tears-spiritual-propertiesstone-of-recovery/ Crystal Curious. (2020c). Rose quartz meaning & properties. https://crystalcurious. com/crystals/rose-quartz/ Farrales, L. L., Cacciatore, J., Jonas-Simpson, C., Dharamsi, S., Asher, J., & Klein, M. C. (2020). What bereaved parents want health care providers to know when their babies are stillborn: A community-based participatory study. BMC Psychology, 8(18). http://dx.doi. org/10.1186/s40359- 020-0385-x Gustafson, C. (2015). Barbara Dossey, PhD, RN: Developing a healing approach in nursing. Integrative Medicine, 14(5), 72-77. https://www.researchgate.net/ publication/290598173_Barbara_Dossey_PhD_RN_ Developing_a_healing_approach_in_nursing Hawthorne, D. M., Youngblut, J. M., Brooten, D., Lynn, C. E., Wertheim, H., & Wertheim, N. (2016). Parent spirituality, grief, and mental health at 1 and 3 months after their infant's/child's death in an intensive care unit. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 31(1), 73-80. http://dx.doi. org/10.1016/j. pedn.2015.07.008 Hvidtjorn, D., Prinds, C., Bliddal, M., Henriksen, T. B., Cacciatore, J., & O'Connor, M. (2018). Life after the loss: Protocol for a Danish longitudinal follow-up study unfolding life and grief after the death of a child during pregnancy from gestational week 14, during birth or in the first 4 weeks of life. BMJ Open, 8(12), e024278. http:// dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2018-024278 King, H. M. (2020a). Obsidian: What is obsidian, how does it form, and what is it used for? https://geology.com/rocks/ obsidian.shtml King, H. M. (2020b). Rose quartz a pink color-variety of the mineral quartz. https://geology. com/gemstones/rosequartz/ Lucas, C. (2019). Apache tears: Meaning, properties and powers. https://meanings.crystalsandjewelry.com/ apache-tear/ Magner, E. (2019). 5 ways to harness the energy of rose quartz, the crystal with a love-magnet rep. https://www. wellandgood.com/good-advice/rose-quartz-healingproperties/ Paris, G. F., de Montigny, F., & Pelloso, S. M. (2016). Factors associated with the grief after stillbirth: A comparative study between Brazilian and Canadian women. Journal of School of Nursing, 50(4), 546-553. http://dx.doi. org/10.1590/S0080-623420160000500002 Perrakis, A. (2019). Crystal lore legends & myths. Beverley, MA: Fair Winds Press. Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health. Rice, R., Nuzum, D., O'Connell, O., & O'Donoghue, K. (2017). Parents and clinicians: Partners in perinatal bereavement research - experiences from the international stillbirth alliance conference 2017. Research Involvement and Engagement, 5(4). http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40900-018- 0137-8 Shakespeare, C., Merriel, A., Bakhbakhi, D., Barnard, K., Lynch, M., Storey, C., Siassakos, D. (2018). Parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of care after stillbirth in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-summary. International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 126(1), 12-21. http://dx.doi.org/10. 1111/1471-0528.15430 Smith, M. C., & Parker, M. E. (2015). Nursing theories and nursing practice (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company. Truter, I. (2006). Crystal healing and gem therapy - "using energy vibrations to heal and harmonise. Pharmaceutical Journal, 73(8), 54-57. https://journals.co.za/content/mp_ sapj/73/8/EJC815 Appendix A MSN Project Questions 2020 First Meeting #1. Tell me about your loss? #2. How did the loss make you feel? #3. How have you coped with the loss? #4. Have you ever heard about using crystals for healing? #5. How do you feel about carrying crystal to assist with healing? Conclusion Meeting #1. Do you feel the crystals have made a difference in your life? #2. How do you feel when you are carrying the crystals? #3. If you forgot to carry the crystals, how did you feel? #4. Do you feel better, worse, or the same after carrying the crystals? HEALTH CARE MANAGEMENT SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCES UNDERGRADUATE Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management Minors available in: • Long Term Care Administration • Health Information and Informatics Management All undergraduate and graduate programs offered in both online and on-campus delivery formats! For more information visit our website at: sah.siu.edu or call 618-453-7211. GRADUATE Masters in Health Administration (MHA) • Certificate in Clinical Leadership (CCL) Masters in Health Informatics (MHI) • Certificate in Healthcare Informatics (CHI) Dual MHA/MHI
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