The tie that binds: relationships in perinatal bereavement

Area of Science:

• Perinatal care
• Bereavement studies
• Nursing

Background:

• Quality perinatal bereavement care hinges on the concept of relationship.
• Understanding relationship dynamics is key to supporting families through perinatal loss.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore bereavement research and clinical writings on the role of relationship in perinatal loss care.
• To provide a framework for interventions that are meaningful to grieving parents.

Main Methods:

• Review of relevant bereavement research.
• Analysis of clinically based writings on relationship in perinatal loss care.

Main Results:

• Focusing on relationship guides interventions perceived as meaningful and helpful.
• Nurses must build trust and an effective working relationship with families from diagnosis.
• Understanding relationship needs helps nurses guide family support and create a context for coping.

Conclusions:

• Sensitive follow-up care fosters hope for grieving families.
• Nurses' self-care is essential for sustained, effective relationship-building in bereavement care.