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Caring for families coping with perinatal loss
Carol Roehrs1, Anne Masterson, Ruth Alles
1School of Nursing, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO 80639, USA. carol.roehrs@unco.edu
Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing : JOGNN
|November 18, 2008
Summary
Labor nurses need more training and support for perinatal bereavement care. Enhanced education and coping strategies are crucial for providing high-quality care to families experiencing loss.
Area of Science:
- Nursing
- Perinatal Care
- Bereavement Support
Background:
- Labor nurses face unique challenges when caring for families experiencing perinatal loss.
- Understanding nurses' support needs and comfort levels is vital for improving bereavement care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the support needs and comfort levels of labor nurses caring for families experiencing perinatal loss.
- To identify effective strategies for supporting nurses in perinatal bereavement care.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative descriptive study involving ten labor nurses from a western hospital birthing unit.
- Data collected through online surveys and follow-up interviews, analyzed using content analysis.
- Themes and recommendations were reviewed and confirmed by participants.
Main Results:
- Nurses generally feel comfortable but find providing perinatal bereavement care difficult.
- Coping strategies include peer support, focusing on tasks, and family time.
- Nurses prefer not to care for additional laboring patients while providing bereavement care.
Conclusions:
- Initial and ongoing education in grief training, communication, and documentation is essential for nurses.
- Developing clinical expertise and structured debriefing can enhance nurses' comfort and skills.
- Effective coping strategies and support systems are necessary for nurses to provide high-quality perinatal bereavement care.
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