Article: Men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss

Emotional distress following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss is common, however little is known about men's grief as the majority of literature and subsequent bereavement care guidelines have focused on women. In this Australian systematic review  46 articles were identified. Findings indicate that men's grief experiences are highly varied, and current grief measures may not capture all of the complexities.  In comparison to women, men may face different challenges including expectations to support female partners, and a lack of social recognition for the grief and subsequent needs.

Obst K L., Due C., Oxlad M. & Middleton P  (2020) Men's grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss; a systematic review and emerging theoretical model. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth,  2020

Contact the Library for a copy or  download here

Recommended book chapter from the newly published Neonatal Palliative Care for Nurses

Earlier this year, the first book specifically on Neonatal Palliative Care for Nurses was published. Covering a range of topics,  it brings together those working within perinatal, neonatal and children's palliative care, with identified key learning points for each chapter.    Recommended chapters include: 

• Support for Staff: Building Resilience in Nurses
• Collaboration between Hospices and Neonatal Units - Offering Choices
• Legal Issues in Neonatal Palliative Care
• Advance Care Planning
• Organ and Tissues Donation
• Continuing Emotional and Practical Support for the Whole Family
• Fundamental Principles of Effective Symptom Control
• Interdisciplinary Working in Neonatal Palliative Care
• Developing Knowledge and Competence in Neonatal Palliative Care Practice
• Care After Death: For the Baby and their Family

Book: Mancini, A., Price, J. & Kerr-Elliott, T. 2020.  Neonatal Palliative Care for Nurses.  Springer. 

With copyright restrictions, only one chapter can be supplied.  Request here

Web site: Stillbirth Stories

Stillbirth Stories is a UK online audio archive.  It's a unique collection of interviews with parents and healthcare professionals talking about their experience of stillbirth.  The web site consists of 22 interviews which can be listened to in full or as short clips, searchable by themes. Parental themes include: Being told your baby has died, Deciding about a post mortem and Pregnancy after loss.  The healthcare staff themes include: Showing emotion, First experiences, and Talking to and supporting families.

Available at: http://stillbirthstories.org/

Article: Real experiences which increase empathy - using audio archive describing parents' and clinicians' experience of stillbirth

Perinatal death has an enduring effect on parents however healthcare professionals frequently report feeling unprepared to care for bereaved parents. This study evaluated parents' and professionals experiences of using an audio archive - www.stillbirthstories.org.  For parents it was largely a  helpful experience and for some reduced their feelings of loneliness and anxiety.  All professionals found the archive helpful, stating it increased their empathy and understanding of parents emotions which improved their confidence that parents' needs could be met.

Beck, E. et al.  2019. Real experiences which increase empathy - using audio archive describing parents' and clinicians' experience of stillbirth.  Bereavement Care, 38 (1) online.

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Article: Fifteen-minute consultation - perinatal palliative care

This article defines and describes a model for providing perinatal palliative care.  It includes the range of conditions in which perinatal palliative care may be appropriate, helpful phrases to use with parents', pre-birth planning issues, and location of care.

Sidwick, P et al, 2017. Fifteen-minute consultation - perinatal palliative care. Archives of Disease in Childhood Education and Practice 102 p 114-116.

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