Healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences of using a cold cot following the loss of a baby: a qualitative study in maternity and neonatal units in the UK

Experiências e condutas do profissional de saúde frente ao óbito neonatal

Objetivo: identificar as experiências e condutas do profissional de saúde frente ao óbito neonatal disponíveis na literatura. Método: estudo bibliográfico descritivo, do tipo revisão integrativa, com delimitação temporal de 2009 a 2020, realizado nas bases de dados LILACS, BDENF, MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL e biblioteca virtual SciELO, por duas pesquisadoras de forma independente em junho de 2021. Foram selecionados 511 artigos, porém somente 21 compuseram o corpus final do estudo após aplicação dos critérios de inclusão/exclusão. Resultados: os estudos evidenciaram que as experiências dos profissionais diante do óbito são permeadas por sentimentos ambivalentes que influenciam na escolha de suas estratégias de enfrentamento. Dentre as condutas adotadas pelos profissionais, destacam-se: a comunicação clara e sensível; o acolhimento ao luto dos familiares; o respeito à decisão dos pais em relação aos cuidados com o recém-nascido; e a entrega de lembranças, foram consideradas atitudes positivas para a superação do óbito neonatal. Considerações finais: os resultados mostram o despreparo dos profissionais para lidar com o processo de morte do recém-nascido e da necessidade de haver estratégias de educação permanente voltada ao óbito neonatal.

The Path Is Made by Walking-Mapping the Healthcare Pathways of Parents Continuing Pregnancy after a Severe Life-Limiting Fetal Diagnosis: A Qualitative Interview Study

In Germany, research on experiences and care pathways of parents continuing pregnancy after a life-limiting fetal diagnosis is scarce. There are several recommendations but few structured programs. We aimed to explore experiences and needs of parents, reconstruct their care pathways, and identify requirements for a perinatal palliative care program. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 mothers and 9 fathers and analyzed data using the Saldaña’s Coding Method. Codes were organized in templates to reconstruct care pathways. Pathways started with a suspicious finding prompting a referral to prenatal diagnostics. Parents experienced severe emotional distress during prenatal diagnostics due to scarce information, insensitiveness, and a perceived pressure towards abortion. As a result, they overlooked referrals to psychosocial counseling, generating a care gap. Most parents reached the decision to continue pregnancy without professional support. They then chose a trusted midwife or gynecologist as main caregiver during pregnancy. There were no regular referrals to palliative care, which mainly became relevant when the child survived. Our data indicate that a perinatal palliative care program requires early and comprehensive information, sensitivity, and a non-directive approach. Already existing support services need to be identified and connected through structured pathways, with a particular focus on midwives.

'Cold bedrooms' and other cooling facilities in UK children's hospices, how they are used and why they are offered: A mixed methods study

BACKGROUND

The death of a child is acutely distressing. Evidence on the benefits and value to parents of spending time with their dead child have now been integrated into routine practice and is regarded as a bereavement support intervention. UK children's hospices have a tradition of using 'cooling facilities' (cold bedrooms, cooled blanket/mattress) to extend this period of time by slowing deterioration of the body.

AIMS

To describe: (1) type and use of cooling facilities in UK children's hospices, policies and practices regarding their use, and any changes over time. (2) Director of care's views on the purpose of cooling facilities and the rationale for hospice-specific practices.

METHODS

An explanatory mixed-methods design consisting two phases: a crosssectional survey of directors of care of UK children's hospices (n = 52) followed by semi-structured telephone interviews with a sub-sample of respondents. Survey data were analysed using descriptive statistics and interview data using directed content analysis.

RESULTS

41/52 hospices completed the survey and 13 directors of care were interviewed. All hospices had cooling facilities. Some offered use of portable cooling facilities at home, though take-up appears low. Hospices differed in approaches to managing care and duration of use. Views on whether parents should observe deterioration informed the latter. Directors of care believed they provide families with time to say 'goodbye' and process their loss. Challenges for staff were reported.

Parents experience of using "cold" facilities at a children's hospice after the death of their baby: A qualitative study

There is a growing movement in children's hospice care to offer families time with their baby after death through use of a "cold cot"; however, there is very limited research in this area. We interviewed seven parents (four mothers and three fathers). Our thematic analysis identified six themes: being able to care for my baby in a way that I never had, space and time to adjust to the loss, time as a family, having my baby close, creating memories, and awareness of societal perceptions. The authors conclude that these facilities provided memories, strengthened legacy, and were a valuable experience.

Decisions Parents Make When Faced With Potentially Life-Limiting Fetal Diagnoses and the Importance of Perinatal Palliative Care

When parents face a potentially life-limiting fetal diagnosis in pregnancy, they then have a series of decisions to make. These include confirmatory testing, termination, and additional choices if they choose to continue the pregnancy. A perinatal palliative team provides a safe, compassionate, and caring space for parents to process their emotions and discuss their values. In a shared decision-making model, the team explores how a family's faith, experiences, values, and perspectives shape the goals for care. For some families, terminating a pregnancy for any reason conflicts with their faith or values and pursuing life prolonging treatments in order to give their baby the best chances for survival is the most important. For others, having a postnatal confirmatory diagnosis of a life limiting or serious medical condition gives them the assurance they need to allow their child a natural death. Others want care to be comfort-focused in order to maximize the time they have to be together as a family. Through this journey, a perinatal palliative team can provide the support and encouragement for families to express their goals and wishes, as well as find meaning and hope.