A transdisciplinary team approach to perinatal loss

Area of Science:

• Perinatal care
• Women's health
• Grief counseling

Background:

• Pregnancy loss, including miscarriage, impacts 15-20% of US pregnancies.
• Such losses result in significant physical, emotional, and psychosocial distress for families.
• Opportunities for improved care were identified at a regional tertiary care center.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a consistent, high-quality care process for women experiencing pregnancy loss.
• To develop a uniform standard of compassionate care through a transdisciplinary approach.
• To share the experience of a Fetal Demise Task Force to aid other institutions.

Main Methods:

• Formation of a transdisciplinary team (Fetal Demise Task Force).
• A 1-year journey to develop a standardized care process.
• Focus on guidance, support, and information for families.

Main Results:

• Development of a structured process for compassionate care.
• Implementation of a uniform standard of support for families experiencing pregnancy loss.
• Creation of a model for other healthcare facilities.

Conclusions:

• A transdisciplinary approach can effectively standardize compassionate care for pregnancy loss.
• Sharing institutional experiences can facilitate improvements in perinatal bereavement care.
• Consistent, high-quality care is crucial for families navigating pregnancy loss.