The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Jan 2011
Parent decision making for life support for extremely premature infants: from the prenatal through end-of-life period.
Most deaths of extremely premature infants occur in the perinatal period. Yet, little is known about how parents make life support decisions in such a short period of time. In the paper, how parents make life support decisions for extremely premature infants from the prenatal period through death from the perspectives of parents, nurses, and physicians is described. ⋯ All mothers received decision making help and support from partners and family, but relationships with providers were also important. Finally, external resources impacted parental decision making in several of the cases. By understanding what factors contribute to parents' decision making, providers may be better equipped to prepare and assist parents when making life support decisions for their extremely premature infants.
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J Perinat Neonatal Nurs · Jan 2011
Making a case: creating a perinatal palliative care service using a perinatal bereavement program model.
This article explores the innovative approach of creating a perinatal palliative care service in an institution that already has a perinatal bereavement program. The proposed model focuses on the importance of establishing and maintaining relationship among and between nurses, other clinicians, and parents. The authors examine theoretical and clinical perspectives, recognizing the presence of both grief and hope from the moment of a life-threatening fetal diagnosis. The article identifies key program development processes, potential barriers, and practical implementation strategies as methods to ensure the delivery of seamless perinatal palliative care from diagnosis, through pregnancy, delivery, and the baby's living and dying.