Family-centered care and the anticipated death of a newborn

Area of Science:

• Palliative Care
• Pediatric Healthcare
• Family Support Services

Background:

• Infants with expected mortality require specialized, coordinated care.
• Family-centered care is crucial during end-of-life situations for infants.
• Health care teams must address the multifaceted needs of families facing infant death.

Observation:

• The health care team's role spans four key phases: prenatal planning, sibling preparation, infant care, and post-death bereavement support.
• Physicians, nurses, and child life specialists employ specific strategies to facilitate family involvement.
• One family's experience illustrates the importance of family-centered practice in this sensitive context.

Findings:

• Coordinated intervention by the health care team is essential for families facing infant death.
• Family choices and needs must be central to the care plan throughout the infant's life and after death.
• Proactive strategies enhance family participation in critical care decisions and experiences.

Implications:

• This approach highlights the need for integrated, family-centered perinatal palliative care.
• Healthcare professionals require training in communication and support for end-of-life infant care.
• Implementing family-centered practices can improve the experience for families navigating infant loss.