Designing a Dignified Experience for the Water Method for Stillborn Babies between 28 and 42 Weeks Gestation
E. Jansen (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
M. Melles – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Human-Centered Design)
M.H. Sonneveld – Mentor (TU Delft - Human Factors)
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Abstract
This report presents the design of a new, dignified experience for the water method for stillborn babies between 28 and 42 weeks that supports parents in their grieving process and fits within clinical practice. After a stillbirth, parents are given the opportunity to spend time with their baby and create memories. One method that can support this is the water method. The water method is a preservation technique where the baby is placed in cold water and laid in a water basin, which helps slow down deterioration and has a positive effect on the baby's skin. However, babies between 28 to 42 weeks are too large to fit inside the water basins. Nurses express the need for a solution that offers care and respect. The goal of this thesis is to design the technical requirements for the water basin and to design the interaction between primary stakeholders, nurses and parents.
This project follows a user-centered approach, involving nurses from the obstetrics department and bereavement specialists to include the parental perspective. Interviews, co-creation sessions and evaluations were carried out to understand stakeholders needs.
The final design, Memora, is a transparent water basin that is partially recessed into a base that provides space for personalisation and memory-making. Designed to fit into hospital environments, Memora has a tilting mechanism so that the basin can be easily emptied. The mobile stand ensures that the water basin can be positioned close to the parents, even when the mother is less mobile.
This project serves as a foundation for further development of Memora. The current design offers a warm, dignified and personal experience that supports parents in creating memories with their baby and fits within clinical practice. However, future work is still recommended to improve visual stability, optimize water outflow, integrate storage and to further develop the frame structure.