Spiritual Needs of Couples Facing Pregnancy Termination Because of Fetal Anomalies

Abstract

The spiritual needs of couples (9 mothers and 5 fathers) who were planning to terminate wanted second trimester pregnancies because of serious fetal anomalies were surveyed. Their greatest needs were for a "guidance from a higher power" and for "someone to pray for them." Unlike other reported groups of patients, they did not want or expect their healthcare team to discuss their faith, or to pray with them. Most would prefer support from their own pastors, but their religious community was involved to only a small extent. They would welcome support from hospital chaplains, who could play a substantive and unique pastoral role in this clinical context.

Espiritualidade, religiosidade e malformação congênita: uma revisão integrativa de literatura

“…Foram analisados 28 artigos científicos [20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37] pertinentes à temática investigada, dos quais, 20 (71,5%) estão disponíveis no idioma português, 7 (25%) em inglês e apenas 1 (3,5%) em espanhol. A abordagem metodológica que prevaleceu foi a qualitativa -20 (71,5%), seguindo-se a quantiqualitativa -4 (14,2%), a quantitativa -2 (10,7%) e 1 (3,6%) estudo de caso.…”

“…Constatou-se que, apesar de a religiosidade ser apontada como uma prática compartilhada pela elevada adesão do público feminino 12,13 , os homens também buscam sustentação espiritual nas práticas religiosas, como forma de amenizar o sofrimento e na busca de encorajamento para lidar com eventos associados à condição do filho malformado 11 . É comum que os mesmos busquem orientação de um poder superior 27 . Para alguns deles, a fé se manifesta ao entregar-se o destino da criança nas mãos do Deus, o que confere conforto diante da situação vivida 18 .…”

“…A principal necessidade identificada nos pais foi orientação de um poder superior e alguém para orar por eles. Os pais não desejavam que a equipe de saúde discutisse sua fé e nem orassem com eles 27 . Os profissionais da saúde, além da destreza tecnocientífica, devem possuir sensibilidade e percepção para intervir na dimensão biopsicossocial e espiritual da criança de seus familiares, sobretudo na da mãe 28 .…”

The needs of women who have experienced pregnancy termination due to fetal anomalies: A literature review

“…In addition, the need for having an appropriate communication and respecting their privacy,[14] responsibility of the caregivers, being friendly and speaking and behaving politely toward the women, providing psychosocial supports,[15] empowering women for attracting emotional supports and improving the process of adaptation,[16] and respecting their religious beliefs and fulfilling their spiritual needs[17] are some other needs of women who have experienced pregnancy termination due to fetal anomalies in relation to the care system. According to the studies, in most cases, the discussion about the existence of supportive resources usually starts when the women or the couple has decided to terminate the pregnancy.…”

“…In the study of Cowchock et al ., providing the necessary facilities for performing religious acts during the period of hospitalization was mentioned by the participants. [17] These people believed that praying, vowing, repenting, and charity would increase individual's resistance and tolerance against the crisis and is a powerful resource for people that could increase the speed of their recovery. [26] Some patients would consider their illness a divine experiment and believe that they could survive, if they would have strong believes.…”