“So, whose milk was it? … It became all of ours, together”: A relational autoethnographic study of an interactional human milk donation process through bereavement

Oreg, Ayelet; Perez, Alison Stern; Timor‐Shlevin, Shachar

doi:10.1080/07481187.2022.2143936

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 24 publications

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“…Until recently, this topic has not been well-researched, and in some cultures, it has not even been discussed (21). Research shows, however, that donating breastmilk can have advantages for families, including helping with grief by acquiring a donor identity (15), and providing structure around bereavement (16). Yet, donating under these circumstances is not a decision that every person may choose or be able to make, or be offered.…”

Section: Human Milk Donation Among Bereaved Mothers Is Not Well-studiedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Report: I feel like a mother to other babies: experiences and perspectives on bereavement and breastmilk donation from Vietnam

Tran,

Nguyen,

Nguyen

et al. 2023

Front. Glob. Womens Health

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There is a growing recognition globally that care regarding lactation following a perinatal death needs to potentially offer the opportunity for maternal donation. This article discusses this experience and perspectives from a human milk bank (HMB) in Vietnam. This is a descriptive exploratory case study that has a long tradition in both the social and health sciences. Triangulated data collection involved a review of video data, interview data with the donor, and data review for the Da Nang HMB, a Center for Excellence in Breastfeeding. We found that although it is common for mothers in Vietnam to donate breastmilk to HMBs, it is less common for this to occur following perinatal loss. We offer a descriptive case study of the maternal loss of twins and a subsequent choice to donate for approximately 1 month to the Da Nang HMB, the first HMB in Vietnam. We discuss four reasons derived from this case regarding donation following perinatal loss. (1) A strong motivation to donate breastmilk when aware of the service, (2) donating breastmilk helped her deal with grief, (3) family members supported her through this tough time and supported her decision, and (4) health staff supported her decision. While human milk sharing (e.g., wet nursing) has been practiced in Vietnam, breastmilk donation from bereaved mothers has neither been discussed nor well-researched. Because maternal grief is complex and individual, deciding to donate breastmilk is a personal decision that needs to be supported, without creating guilt for those who do not wish to donate.

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Section: Human Milk Donation Among Bereaved Mothers Is Not Well-studiedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Case Report: I feel like a mother to other babies: experiences and perspectives on bereavement and breastmilk donation from Vietnam

Tran,

Nguyen,

Nguyen

et al. 2023

Front. Glob. Womens Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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‘Whose Milk Was It, Really? … It Was a Gift, a Savior, a Healer, and a Connector’: Reflections on a Collaborative Autoethnography of Breastmilk Donation after Stillbirth

Timor‐Shlevin¹,

Oreg²,

Perez³

2023

The British Journal of Social Work

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Performances of Hope and Despair: A Case Study of Organ Donation Between a Palestinian and Israeli Jew Amidst War

Oreg,

Ben Shlomo

2024

Qual Health Res

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We explore the phenomenon of organ donation between rivals in time of war when a significant gift such as organ donation is given not just to a “stranger” but to a stranger who may be considered an enemy. This is a case study of a unique organ donation event that occurred in Israel during Operation Guardian of the Walls in May 2021. It involved a Palestinian boy killed by a Jewish policeman and a Jewish man killed by Palestinian youths. Both victims, lacking organ donor cards, had their organs donated by their families with the awareness that recipients could come from the “opposing” group. We ask: (1) How do families from rival groups construct meaning in their decision to donate organs? (2) How do they construct meaning in their experience of loss? The findings reveal that bereaved families imbue their actions with political and religious significance, framing the organ donations as a “universal gift” guided by religious commandments to save lives. While these acts initially transcend cultural and national boundaries, a lack of recognition and gratitude afterward can lead to disillusionment, reinforcing “us” versus “them” boundaries. This study underscores the intricate dynamics in organ donations during political conflict and the pivotal role of religious authorities in shaping perceptions and meaning. Moreover, it highlights the potential for organ donations to foster reconciliation and coexistence amidst conflict, provided mutual recognition in cases where compassion and understanding of loss are prioritized.

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“So, whose milk was it? … It became all of ours, together”: A relational autoethnographic study of an interactional human milk donation process through bereavement

Cited by 3 publications

References 24 publications

Case Report: I feel like a mother to other babies: experiences and perspectives on bereavement and breastmilk donation from Vietnam

Case Report: I feel like a mother to other babies: experiences and perspectives on bereavement and breastmilk donation from Vietnam

‘Whose Milk Was It, Really? … It Was a Gift, a Savior, a Healer, and a Connector’: Reflections on a Collaborative Autoethnography of Breastmilk Donation after Stillbirth

Performances of Hope and Despair: A Case Study of Organ Donation Between a Palestinian and Israeli Jew Amidst War

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