The Fetal Care Team

Abstract

We present the development and operations of our fetal care team with a focus on the role of the fetal care team nurse coordinator.

Components of Perinatal Palliative Care: An Integrative Review

“…Furthermore, in another prospective cohort study by Callahan et al [ 27 ], perinatal palliative care even reduced parental stress in parents of neonates with congenital heart disease, though parental depression and anxiety did not decrease. Survey studies indicated that parents who received palliative care for their fetus and/or infant showed to be highly [ 29 ] to even extremely [ 19 ] satisfied with the care they received. Palliative care was seen to increase feelings of understanding the diagnosis [ 29 ], and the service provided was seen as valuable and helpful [ 29 , 31 ].…”

“…Survey studies indicated that parents who received palliative care for their fetus and/or infant showed to be highly [ 29 ] to even extremely [ 19 ] satisfied with the care they received. Palliative care was seen to increase feelings of understanding the diagnosis [ 29 ], and the service provided was seen as valuable and helpful [ 29 , 31 ]. Lastly, the retrospective chart review of Jalowska and colleagues [ 28 ] showed that all mothers in the newly set up perinatal hospice program wanted to see and hug their child and wanted to participate in memory making, which was expressed to be extremely important.…”

The Role of Nurses in Fetal Cardiology Programs

“…There is clear consensus in the literature that for families receiving a diagnosis of fetal CHD, counseling is critical to provide information, shape expectations, support decision-making, and mitigate the emotional toll (Gendler et al, 2021; Lafranchi & Lincoln, 2015; Lee, 2017; Loyet et al, 2016; Reid & Gaskin, 2018; Walsh et al, 2017). Multiple studies in our review (Bratt et al, 2015; Kovacevic et al, 2020a; Kovacevic et al, 2020b; Kovacevic et al, 2021) described the nurse as a key team member who provides the psychological support and presence needed by families diagnosed with CHD.…”

“…With a diagnosis of fetal CHD comes an enormous amount of medically and anatomically complex information, delivered to families at an emotional, stressful time (Lafranchi & Lincoln, 2015; Lee, 2017; Reid & Gaskin, 2018). Nurses are well positioned to give families gentle, straightforward, understandable explanations, as well as answer follow-up questions and provide education throughout the pregnancy (Dopson et al, 2022; Lafranchi & Lincoln, 2015; Lee, 2017; Loyet et al, 2016; Nagata et al, 2022). “Fetal Cardiologists or Fetal Cardiology Nurse Specialists may be better prepared to inform parents in an unrushed, sensitive and understandable way” (Reid & Gaskin, 2018, p. 17).…”

“…Evans et al (2015) suggested after a CHD diagnosis, comprehensive counseling should include meeting with a multidisciplinary team consisting of congenital heart surgeons and interventionalists; clinical psychologist and social worker; and fetal nursing team. The nursing profession is known for its holistic methods in patient care, which positions nurses to provide excellent The nurse also serves as the navigator and contact person for the patient and family (Braley et al, 2022;Dopson et al, 2022;Kovacevic et al, 2021;Lee, 2017;Loyet et al, 2016). Daming et al (2021) noted that nurses are the point of contact for the patient throughout labor and birth and are intimately involved in care, while providing patients the knowledge to handle complex information of their diagnoses to optimize outcomes.…”