grief and perinatal loss. session learning objectives define perinatal loss recognize the prevalence...
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Grief and Perinatal LossGrief and Perinatal Loss
Session Learning Objectives
• Define perinatal loss• Recognize the prevalence of perinatal loss, and those
who are potentially affected by each loss• Classify the stages or processes of grieving that
individuals may experience following a perinatal loss• Identify the unique aspects of grief due to perinatal
loss versus grief due to other losses• Discuss strategies for supporting a patient and her
support network
• Define perinatal loss• Recognize the prevalence of perinatal loss, and those
who are potentially affected by each loss• Classify the stages or processes of grieving that
individuals may experience following a perinatal loss• Identify the unique aspects of grief due to perinatal
loss versus grief due to other losses• Discuss strategies for supporting a patient and her
support network
Perinatal or Pregnancy Loss
• the death of an unborn fetus or baby at any time during pregnancy
Early pregnancy loss (<20 weeks gestation:
• 15-20% of diagnosed pregnancies are lost in the first or second trimester of pregnancy with most occurring in the first trimester
• 1% of pregnancy losses occur after 16 weeks gestation
• the death of an unborn fetus or baby at any time during pregnancy
Early pregnancy loss (<20 weeks gestation:
• 15-20% of diagnosed pregnancies are lost in the first or second trimester of pregnancy with most occurring in the first trimester
• 1% of pregnancy losses occur after 16 weeks gestation
Types of pregnancy loss:
Blighted ovum: loss prior to 8 weeks in which the egg is fertilized but never develops into an embryo
Ectopic pregnancy: implantation and development of the fertilized ovum outside of the uterus. This may occur in the fallopian tube, cervical canal, pelvic or abdominal cavity
Blighted ovum: loss prior to 8 weeks in which the egg is fertilized but never develops into an embryo
Ectopic pregnancy: implantation and development of the fertilized ovum outside of the uterus. This may occur in the fallopian tube, cervical canal, pelvic or abdominal cavity
Spontaneous Abortion: a gestational age of <20 weeks or a birth weight of < 500 grams
-missed: pregnancy loss where products of conception are retained after the fetus dies
-incomplete: pregnancy loss where some but not all products of conception have been expelled
- complete : pregnancy loss where the fetus and all related tissue have been expelled from the uterus
Spontaneous Abortion: a gestational age of <20 weeks or a birth weight of < 500 grams
-missed: pregnancy loss where products of conception are retained after the fetus dies
-incomplete: pregnancy loss where some but not all products of conception have been expelled
- complete : pregnancy loss where the fetus and all related tissue have been expelled from the uterus
Therapeutic abortion: intentional termination of a pregnancy, usually prior to 24 weeks gestation
Molar pregnancy: mass of cysts that forms in the uterus. It is the product of parthenogenesis which is the development of a germ cell without equal contributions of DNA from an egg and sperm. All chromosomes come from the male partner.
Stillbirth: intrauterine death of a fetus at 20 weeks gestation of greater
Neonatal Death: death of a live-born infant over 20 weeks gestation within the first 28 days of life
Therapeutic abortion: intentional termination of a pregnancy, usually prior to 24 weeks gestation
Molar pregnancy: mass of cysts that forms in the uterus. It is the product of parthenogenesis which is the development of a germ cell without equal contributions of DNA from an egg and sperm. All chromosomes come from the male partner.
Stillbirth: intrauterine death of a fetus at 20 weeks gestation of greater
Neonatal Death: death of a live-born infant over 20 weeks gestation within the first 28 days of life
Causes of Pregnancy LossCauses of Pregnancy Loss
Vast majority are due to genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
Other factors:• Abnormal embryo development• Hormone maternal abnormalities (decreased
progesterone or abnormal thyroid function)• Maternal diabetes• Uterine abnormalities (scar tissue, formation,
shape or tumors)
Vast majority are due to genetic or chromosomal abnormalities
Other factors:• Abnormal embryo development• Hormone maternal abnormalities (decreased
progesterone or abnormal thyroid function)• Maternal diabetes• Uterine abnormalities (scar tissue, formation,
shape or tumors)
• Incompetent cervix• Infections (CMV, Listeriosis, toxoplasmosis)• Antifetal antibodies from maternal immune
system• Autoimmune diseases (i.e. lupus erythematosus)• Smoking• Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals
• Incompetent cervix• Infections (CMV, Listeriosis, toxoplasmosis)• Antifetal antibodies from maternal immune
system• Autoimmune diseases (i.e. lupus erythematosus)• Smoking• Exposure to toxic substances and chemicals
Grief and LossGrief and Loss
• Grief: the emotional response to a loss
• Mourning: the way in which feelings and emotions are dealt with
• “Visible” loss: death of a family member or friend, have established rituals that facilitate and encourage mourning. For example: funerals, religious services, memorials
• Grief: the emotional response to a loss
• Mourning: the way in which feelings and emotions are dealt with
• “Visible” loss: death of a family member or friend, have established rituals that facilitate and encourage mourning. For example: funerals, religious services, memorials
Grief due to Loss of a PregnancyGrief due to Loss of a Pregnancy
• Pregnancy loss is devastating, no matter when it happens.
• Misconception that the degree of loss experienced is in proportion to the length of the pregnancy
• Grieving is a process with a number of phases. These phases are experienced in different ways and may overlap or be re-experienced.
• There is no right or wrong way to grieve
• Pregnancy loss is devastating, no matter when it happens.
• Misconception that the degree of loss experienced is in proportion to the length of the pregnancy
• Grieving is a process with a number of phases. These phases are experienced in different ways and may overlap or be re-experienced.
• There is no right or wrong way to grieve
Phases of grief:Phases of grief:• Avoidance and disbelief: it may be impossible to
grasp what has happened. The loss is so overwhelming, it may be necessary, at first, to take the time to break it down into manageable pieces.
• Pain: may be experienced in the form of depression, physical illness (colds, flu), forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, anger (at self, partner, higher being), guilt.
• Acceptance and adaptation: acceptance of pregnancy loss or infant death. Acknowledgement that internal change has occurred will ease pain. Integration of infant’s memory into a meaningful place in one’s life allows for self-growth
• Avoidance and disbelief: it may be impossible to grasp what has happened. The loss is so overwhelming, it may be necessary, at first, to take the time to break it down into manageable pieces.
• Pain: may be experienced in the form of depression, physical illness (colds, flu), forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, anger (at self, partner, higher being), guilt.
• Acceptance and adaptation: acceptance of pregnancy loss or infant death. Acknowledgement that internal change has occurred will ease pain. Integration of infant’s memory into a meaningful place in one’s life allows for self-growth
Support from the CaregiverSupport from the Caregiver
• Care given to each person differs with their needs but the support provided should be based on a theoretical base. It is not necessarily “what comes naturally”.
• Swanson’s Caring Components can be applied to the particular needs of any person experiencing grief at any level or stage.
• Can be considered an interdisciplinary model as it focuses on the caregiver’s receptiveness to the feelings of a patient or family member. All caregivers can be involved in this communication.
• This model is not stage-dependent.
• Care given to each person differs with their needs but the support provided should be based on a theoretical base. It is not necessarily “what comes naturally”.
• Swanson’s Caring Components can be applied to the particular needs of any person experiencing grief at any level or stage.
• Can be considered an interdisciplinary model as it focuses on the caregiver’s receptiveness to the feelings of a patient or family member. All caregivers can be involved in this communication.
• This model is not stage-dependent.
Swanson’s Caring ComponentsSwanson’s Caring Components
Knowing: the deliberate effort to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the patient. The caregiver makes no assumptions, but attends to the clues given by the one cared for.
Being with: being emotionally present to or for the other. This presence conveys continual availability for sharing feelings.
Doing for: doing for the patient what the patient would for themselves if it were possible. Service given in an unobtrusive, easily forgotten manner that preserves dignity of the patient while acknowledging their capacity for self-care.
Knowing: the deliberate effort to understand an event as it has meaning in the life of the patient. The caregiver makes no assumptions, but attends to the clues given by the one cared for.
Being with: being emotionally present to or for the other. This presence conveys continual availability for sharing feelings.
Doing for: doing for the patient what the patient would for themselves if it were possible. Service given in an unobtrusive, easily forgotten manner that preserves dignity of the patient while acknowledging their capacity for self-care.
Swanson’s Caring Components(cont’d)
Swanson’s Caring Components(cont’d)
Enabling: helping of another’s passage through the transitional and unfamiliar event or loss. Involves using expertise to help someone grow, heal and practice self-care. Involves giving accurate and applicable information, explanations, and validation of the other’s feelings. Helps the ones being cared for to focus on their concerns, to generate viable alternatives, and to think through ways to look at or act in a situation.
Maintaining belief: holding the other in esteem and believing in them as a person with the capacity to get through a transition and face a future with meaning.
Enabling: helping of another’s passage through the transitional and unfamiliar event or loss. Involves using expertise to help someone grow, heal and practice self-care. Involves giving accurate and applicable information, explanations, and validation of the other’s feelings. Helps the ones being cared for to focus on their concerns, to generate viable alternatives, and to think through ways to look at or act in a situation.
Maintaining belief: holding the other in esteem and believing in them as a person with the capacity to get through a transition and face a future with meaning.
Anticipatory GuidanceAnticipatory Guidance
What to expect : physical symptoms of grief
Exhaustion/fatigue Appetite changesSleep difficulties Lack of strengthWeight changes Breathing difficultiesPalpitations Body achingRestlessness Dry MouthBlurred Vision Headaches
What to expect : physical symptoms of grief
Exhaustion/fatigue Appetite changesSleep difficulties Lack of strengthWeight changes Breathing difficultiesPalpitations Body achingRestlessness Dry MouthBlurred Vision Headaches
Anticipatory GuidanceAnticipatory Guidance
What to expect: emotional and/or psychological effects of grief
Denial Guilt AngerResentment Bitterness DepressionIrritability Time confusion Mood SwingsSadness Sense of failureDreams Failure to accept realityDecreased self-esteemPreoccupation with the deceasedWithdrawal from normal activities of daily livingSocial isolation from family and friendsIncreased difficulty relating to others
What to expect: emotional and/or psychological effects of grief
Denial Guilt AngerResentment Bitterness DepressionIrritability Time confusion Mood SwingsSadness Sense of failureDreams Failure to accept realityDecreased self-esteemPreoccupation with the deceasedWithdrawal from normal activities of daily livingSocial isolation from family and friendsIncreased difficulty relating to others
Providing SupportProviding Support
If death has not yet occurred:
• Invoke the Perinatal Loss Program process• Provide timely information to the family• Involve the family in discussions regarding care
decisions i.e. re: induction of labour, palliative care, etc.
• Encourage and provide time for questions• Use lay terminology
If death has not yet occurred:
• Invoke the Perinatal Loss Program process• Provide timely information to the family• Involve the family in discussions regarding care
decisions i.e. re: induction of labour, palliative care, etc.
• Encourage and provide time for questions• Use lay terminology
Providing SupportProviding Support
• Include the family in decision-making with all disciplinesi.e. physicians, neonatology, spiritual care, social work, nursing
• Allow for cultural differences in communication. Use interpreters as needed.
• Promote an appropriate environment that includes privacy, low lighting, music
• Encourage the family to hold and comfort the baby. Use role modeling
• Provide support for all family members involved.
• Include the family in decision-making with all disciplinesi.e. physicians, neonatology, spiritual care, social work, nursing
• Allow for cultural differences in communication. Use interpreters as needed.
• Promote an appropriate environment that includes privacy, low lighting, music
• Encourage the family to hold and comfort the baby. Use role modeling
• Provide support for all family members involved.
Providing SupportProviding Support
At the time of death:• Express your own sympathy. Give the family time
to express themselves. Offer to stay if they are alone. Unit team work is important at this time.
• Allow the family time to process the news of the death before asking for responses to important questions regarding organ donation, autopsy or funeral arrangements
• Declaring time of death by physician• Assure family of their privacy
At the time of death:• Express your own sympathy. Give the family time
to express themselves. Offer to stay if they are alone. Unit team work is important at this time.
• Allow the family time to process the news of the death before asking for responses to important questions regarding organ donation, autopsy or funeral arrangements
• Declaring time of death by physician• Assure family of their privacy
Providing SupportProviding Support
At the time of death…• Encourage the expression of feelings and facilitate
good communication between members of the family. Answer all questions to the best of your ability.
• Offer options for loved ones to participate in the care of the body, or watching care, or of not being present at the time of body care and preparation.
• Perinatal Loss Keepsake initiative: pictures, hair locks, foot and hand prints, clothing
• Many details and decisions• Create a warm environment• It is okay to cry
At the time of death…• Encourage the expression of feelings and facilitate
good communication between members of the family. Answer all questions to the best of your ability.
• Offer options for loved ones to participate in the care of the body, or watching care, or of not being present at the time of body care and preparation.
• Perinatal Loss Keepsake initiative: pictures, hair locks, foot and hand prints, clothing
• Many details and decisions• Create a warm environment• It is okay to cry
Providing SupportProviding Support
Suggestions to enable the move towards healing:• Be independent in decision-making• Create baby memories• Take it slow• Take care of yourself• Postpone major decisions• Talk and share time with your partner• Journal• Seek help from loved ones, professionals• Support groups
Suggestions to enable the move towards healing:• Be independent in decision-making• Create baby memories• Take it slow• Take care of yourself• Postpone major decisions• Talk and share time with your partner• Journal• Seek help from loved ones, professionals• Support groups