INTRODUCTION:
stillbirth is a profoundly personal experience shaped by sociocultural norms, healthcare systems, and policy contexts. despite its significant impact, limited research has explored parents’ lived experiences of stillbirth in south africa. this study examined socio-ecological factors influencing parents’ experiences of stillbirth in limpopo province, south africa.

METHODS:
a qualitative exploratory design was employed, involving in-depth interviews with 12 purposively selected parents. interviews were conducted in xitsonga, transcribed, translated into english, and thematically analysed using atlas.ti software.

RESULTS:
parents’ experiences of stillbirth were influenced by interconnected factors operating across multiple levels of the socio-ecological framework. at the individual level, participants reported diverse understandings of stillbirth, emotional distress, self-doubt, and fear of recurrence. interpersonal relationships played a dual role, with some participants receiving strong emotional support from partners and family members, while others experienced blame and stigma. organisational factors included both positive and negative encounters with religious institutions and healthcare services, highlighting instances of compassionate care alongside critical gaps in communication and response time. at the societal level, cultural beliefs such as xirheti shaped perceptions of repeated stillbirths and contributed to stigma. at the policy level, while participants acknowledged the importance of antenatal care as promoted by national guidelines, they also identified systemic barriers, including delayed transport and limited access to timely healthcare services.

CONCLUSIONS:
addressing the impact of stillbirth requires a multi-level approach that integrates personal, social, cultural, healthcare, and policy dimensions to better support parents and improve maternal and primary healthcare responses