Caring For A Family When A Baby Dies
- Duration: 60 Mins
- Credits: 1 CERP, 1 R-CERP
- Handout: Yes
Abstract:
Death is an extraordinary “thing” in our society. Since the invention of modern medicine, death has become the enemy, the unexcepted, the unacceptable, something to fight against, and a failure. Notwithstanding the fact that death is the only known certainty in life, we are shocked and overly distressed about it. There seems to be a hierarchy in death, that children shouldn’t die. It isn’t too many years ago that a mother expected with her large family that she would “lose” 2-3 children. That is still my experience in developing countries. I bring with me balance of modern medicine working together with educated mothers, and traditional expectations and practices, to try and find that balance in our work.
I will be discussing a baby as meaning from the moment of conception through to first year of life. We will explore the concept that as health professionals how our own thoughts, feelings, fears and beliefs influence how we respond to a mother and her family. The behaviours and expectations of the people around her influence her grief path, therefore we need to be clear and conscious in our communication. Examine rituals and behaviours that can alleviate some of her devastation, relief or pain.
Learning Objectives:
1. Analyze your own attitudes and beliefs about conception, viability and each woman’s perception of her truth, opening the pathway to support her fully to integrate her experience into her long term wellbeing
2. Apply your new perceptions of the challenges and pain women experience in pregnancy loss, and find a pathway to change protocols and practices in your work space and amongst colleagues and friends.
3.Apply your enhanced skills to respond openly and truthfully to a woman and her family’s needs, whether it be pain she’s experiencing or relief. Remain able to not let judgements stand in your way of effectively reacting to her with words, rituals or practices.
