Companioning at a Time of Perinatal Loss A Guide for Nurses, Physicians, Social Workers, Chaplains and Other Bedside Caregivers

by Heustis, RN, Jane; Jenkins, Marcia Meyer; Wolfelt, Alan D

• ISBN13: 9781879651470
• ISBN10: 1879651475
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-05-01
• Publisher: Companion Press

Summary

The obstetrics unit is the only hospital environment in which life begins and sometimes, tragically, ends. Staff must alternate masks of comedy and tragedy as they care for healthy moms and newborns as well as the estimated 2-4 percent of deliveries that end in the death of a baby.

Author Biography

Jane Heustis, RN, is the Pathways Perinatal Loss Support Coordinator at Methodist Hospital and the parish nurse at Irvington United Methodist Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Marcia Meyer Jenkins, RN, is a childbirth educator and perinatal bereavement coordinator at St. Francis Hospital and parish nurse at Russellville Community Church in Russellville, Indiana. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D., serves as the director of the Center for Loss and Life Transition. he writes the "Children and Grief column for Bereavement Magazine and has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Larry King Live, and Today. He is the author of Healing Your Grieivng Heart, Healing a Teen's Grieving Heart, and Understanding Your Grief. He lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

Table of Contents

Foreword	i
Preface	iii
Introduction Beginning a Journey	vii
Chapter 1 Families: Becoming a Part of Their Story	1	(16)
Chapter 2 Caregivers: Entering Into the Wilderness	17	(14)
Chapter 3 Environment: Creating a Space for Mourning	31	(12)
Chapter 4 Communication: Beginning the Conversation	43	(18)
Chapter 5 Strategies: Practicing the Art of Caring	61	(20)
Chapter 6 Memories: Making the Moment Last a Lifetime	81	(18)
Chapter 7 Discharge: Preparing for the Work of Mourning	99	(14)
Chapter 8 Other Pregnancy Losses: Supporting when there is "no baby"	113	(18)
Chapter 9 After Discharge: Continuing Companioning	131	(16)
Chapter 10 Final Thoughts: Finding Joy	147