Exploring Parental Needs in the Year Following Perinatal Loss

Area of Science:

• Perinatal health
• Grief and bereavement studies
• Holistic care models

Background:

• Perinatal loss significantly impacts parents' biopsychosocial well-being.
• Existing follow-up care is often inadequate, despite documented adverse outcomes.
• Grieving parents experience evolving physical, psychological, social, spiritual, and cultural needs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the holistic needs of parents in the year following a perinatal loss.
• To identify specific areas where ongoing support is required.
• To understand the long-term impact of perinatal loss on parental well-being.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative descriptive study utilizing a holistic lens.
• Employed Wagner's Chronic Disease Model as a theoretical framework.
• Analyzed data using a priori categories based on chronic care and holistic care domains.

Main Results:

• Identified initial physical needs (e.g., bleeding, lactation) transitioning to psychosocial and spiritual needs (e.g., relationships, grief, subsequent pregnancy).
• Parents expressed a strong desire for continued professional support post-loss.
• Wagner's Model effectively framed parental needs and informed recommendations for collaborative, evidence-based care.

Conclusions:

• Follow-up care after perinatal loss is not consistently provided despite persistent parental needs.
• A strategic, multiprofessional approach is necessary to prevent chronic biopsychosocial conditions.
• The study provides a framework for implementing essential follow-up care within the first year after perinatal loss.