Objective
Expectant parents who live through perinatal loss experience intense grief, which is not always acknowledged or accepted. A screening tool to detect bereaved parents’ grief reactions can guide professionals, including perinatal palliative care teams, to provide follow-up for those in need. This review's goal is to identify and synthesize the international published literature on existent instruments specifically measuring the grieving process after any perinatal loss and to identify factors that could moderate grief reactions.
Method
Systematic review (PROSPERO # CRD42018092555) with critical synthesis. PUBMED, Cochrane, and PsycINFO databases were searched in English language articles using the keywords “perinatal” AND (“grief” OR “bereavement” OR mourning) AND (“scale” OR “questionnaire” OR “measure” OR “assessment”) up to May 2018. Eligibility criteria included every study using a measure to assess perinatal grief after all kinds of perinatal losses, including validations and translations to other languages and interventions designed to alleviate grief symptoms.
Results
A total of 67 papers met inclusion criteria. Seven instruments measuring perinatal grief published between 1984 and 2002 are described. The Perinatal Grief Scale (PGS) was used in 53 of the selected studies. Of those, 39 analyzed factors associated with grief reactions. Six articles used PGS scores to evaluate pre- and post-bereavement interventions. Studies in English language only might have limited the number of articles.
Significance of results
The PGS is the most used standardized measures to assess grief after perinatal loss. All parents living through any kind of perinatal loss should be screened.
RESUMO:Malformações fetais acometem cerca de 3% das gestações, e a possibilidade desse diagnóstico é uma das principais preocupações vivenciadas pelos pais e familiares. Quando é diagnosticado uma malformação que implique em possível mortalidade da criança, é necessário o planejamento do seguimento da gestação, o que abrange diversos aspectos que incluem avaliação minuciosa do prognóstico, organização do cuidado após o parto, e seguimento da família de forma abrangente e integrada. Recentemente os conceitos de cuidados paliativos foram introduzidos na perinatologia com essa finalidade, e o presente artigo tem como objetivo discutir o modelo de cuidado paliativo aplicado no atendimento a gestantes e familiares de fetos com malformação.Descritores: Cuidados paliativos; Feto/anormalidades; Perinatologia.ABSTRACT: Fetal malformations affect approximately 3% of pregnancies, and the possibility of this diagnosis is one of the main concerns of parents and family members. When a malformation that implies potential mortality for the child is diagnosed, the pregnancy's follow-up needs to be planned, including diverse aspects such as thorough evaluation of the prognosis, organization of post-partum care, and follow-up with the family in a broad and integrated manner. Recently, palliative care concepts have been introduced into perinatology for this purpose. This article discusses the application of the palliative care model to the care of pregnant women and family members of fetuses with malformations.
Background: The grieving process following perinatal loss caused by life-limiting conditions presents some particularities associated with the family's culture and the symbolic relationship with the deceased. Objective: To reflect on the symbolic meaning attributed to mementos, particularly pictures taken immediately after birth. Method: Case study–a qualitative analysis of the data collected through semidirected interviews. Results: Of the three women that took part in the study, one woman chose not to take a picture but opted to take home the hat with her son's name on it that was provided as a regular procedure for every birth at the maternity centre. During the interview, she questioned her decision. The two other women took pictures and still look at them affectionate. One of the women keeps the picture of her child in a shrine at home, thus attributing a symbolic religious meaning to the whole experience that alleviates her pain. Conclusion: The symbolic meaning attributed to pictures of the deceased can help parents process grief.
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