Stoicism and Nursing Care in Perinatal Grief: An Integrative Literature Review

To show the Stoic contributions to professional performance during perinatal grief.

An integrative literature review.

This integrative literature review covers the period from 1993 to 2026. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed and Web of Science databases, as well as the Virtual Health Library (VHL) portal, using the descriptors 'perinatal death' and 'nursing'.

Following data extraction and analysis through the interpretative lens of Stoic philosophy, three thematic categories emerged: (1) Psychosocial and Cultural Aspects of Mourning; (2) Challenges of Nursing Practice in Bereavement Contexts; and (3) Support Strategies and Practical Interventions for Bereaved Families. Guidance and support are needed as essential interventions for women experiencing grief. On the other hand, a lack of training among professionals to offer this care was revealed. An important finding among the interventions mentioned is the following: giving a keepsake of the baby, using cold cribs and making the parents feel at ease, creating the role of a mourning professional in maternity wards and helping with guidance on bureaucratic procedures. Understanding the transience of life can help contextualize the loss, appreciating the moments when parents were with their loved one, instead of what they may have been. Differentiating between what we can and cannot control, accepting loss as a natural part of life's cycle and being able to help those who grieve find peace.

The Stoic aphorisms can offer valuable insights into dealing with perinatal grief. Stoicism, focusing on acceptance, resilience and virtue, can offer a philosophical framework for facing and understanding grief and loss.

The study highlights nursing interventions in response to perinatal bereavement, based on stoicism, offering practical and theoretical support for obstetric nurses. The findings point to ways of providing care in a recognized clinical practice challenge, strengthening professional performance and the humanization of care.

No patient or public contribution.