Psych

Grief in Pregnancy Loss

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Grief in Pregnancy Loss, Pregnancy Loss Counseling

  • See Also
  1. Miscarriage
  2. Late Pregnancy Loss (Stillborn, Intrauterine Fetal Demise)
  • Management
  • General counseling
  1. Dispel guilt
    1. Nothing patient did caused the Miscarriage
    2. Not due to sex, Exercise, stress, food, minor injury
  2. Acknowledge grief
    1. Feeling sad is appropriate in the death of their baby
    2. Recognize that each parent may express grief differently
    3. Anticipate anniversary grief in subsequent years
  3. Reassure about future pregnancies
    1. Less than 3 Miscarriages does not increase recurrence
    2. No changes are needed with next pregnancy management
      1. Exception: 3 or more Miscarriages or late loss
    3. Do not recommend any lifestyle changes at this time
  4. Keep in contact for support
    1. Phone or office visit within a few days to week
    2. Listening and sharing your own sadness is helpful
  5. Encourage notifying others who knew about the pregnancy
    1. Consider designating a friend to tell others
    2. Children should be told if they knew about pregnancy
  • Precautions
  • Inappropriate Comments
  1. You can try again
  2. At least it happened early
  • Resources
  1. Compassionate Friends
    1. http://www.compassionatefriends.org
    2. Phone: 877-969-0010
  2. SHARE Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support
    1. http://www.nationalshareoffice.com
    2. Phone: 800-821-6819
  • References
  1. Deutchman (2000) ALSO Course Syllabus, p. A17-21