[Perinatal bereavement. Psychopathology and counseling]

Perinatal death entails bereavement for the family and confusion for the care-givers. In the light of a brief theoretical study of grief, the present article reviews the difficulties and complications of parental grief and the propositions for support and counselling. The most recent works in the subject as well as topics for future research are emphasized. Perinatal bereavement is followed by severe complications: depression, psychosis for mothers, mainly following the next live birth; family disagreement; disturbances, running away, drug, suicide among already born or future children, especially for the replacement child. Professional behaviour: listening, letting see the dead baby, offering possibilities for the expression of the emotions, is followed by gratitude from the parents instead of annoyance due to the usual conspiracy of silence. Bereavement outcome is furthered by the new management. More research is needed about maternal risk factors and prevention of parental grief repercussions on their children.