Grief Support Programs: Patients' Use of Services Following the Loss of a Desired Pregnancy and Degree of Implementation in Academic Centers

ABSTRACT

Limited information is available concerning what resources to offer and how to best counsel patients after the loss of a desired pregnancy. The Touching Hearts Program at the University of Iowa offers support for such patients and their families. We reviewed responses to a questionnaire (n = 128) sent to families who received support from the program. Data was evaluated using descriptive statistics or Pearson's Chisquare. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Sixty-four percent of patients reported visiting with the chaplain, 67% had their baby blessed or baptized, and 80% held a funeral or memorial service. Ninety-two percent of patients were offered private time with their baby, and 87% elected to do so. While 66% of patients felt they had adequate time with their child, 85% indicated they would have appreciated additional opportunities to see their baby. Resources offered by the Touching Hearts Program were highly utilized by patients. Changes in health care may decrease funding for such programs, however, high patient utilization indicates a need for grief support programs at facilities involved in management of abnormal pregnancies. A survey of academic centers showed that the vast majority offer similar programs to their patients.

Keywords

Perinatal grief - termination - abortion - prenatal diagnosis