Bereaved parents have the expectation that professionals are
aware of and understand the parental grief process. In reality,
most of us have had very little training regarding bereavement
and the very special nature of infant loss.
Caregivers do grieve for the death of their patients and often
experience shock, isolation, guilt and anxiety. (Some of the same
symptoms we warn newly bereaved parents about.)
To maximize your coping skills consider the following suggestions:
Accept your own feelings. No one is expected to handle every
situation that is thrown his way every day.
Ask for help from co-workers. Consider working in teams (e.g.
one person does the paperwork and the other interacts with the
family.)
Schedule staff meetings to review the case and allow staff
to share their feelings.
Consider attending the funeral and/or sending a card or letter
to the family. This will provide you with some closure and will
be appreciated by the family.
Attend a bereavement support group. These groups are a tremendous
resource for caregivers as well as parents.
Share your feelings with co-workers or others who understand confidentiality and the grief process.
Remind yourself that you didn't he best you could with the
information you had at the time.
Seek professional help if you get stuck at any stage in the
grief process or you feel unable to carry out the duties of your
job over time.
From When the Bough Breaks - Working With Families Who Have
Experienced The Death of an Infant (A Guide For Healthcare and
Other Professionals) by Heidi B. Olson
