[Coping with fetal death: complications, risk factors and potential physician support]

Only recently a stillbirth has been recognized as a major loss for the majority of women. Based on psychotherapeutic experience and clinical investigations, symptoms and risk factors of normal and pathological courses of grief are delineated and illustrated by a case vignette. Risk factors for complicated grief refer to quality of inpatient care, partner support, previous depression, anxiety or unresolved strain. Recommendations for inpatient care include validating the loss, making it real, enabling the bereaved parents to make informed decisions. Ambulatory after care should provide for monitoring and supporting the grief process.