Support for women/families after perinatal death

Abstract

Background: Provision of an empathetic caring environment, and strategies to enable the mother and family to accept the reality of perinatal death, are now part of standard nursing and social support in most of the developed world.

Objectives: The objective of this review was to assess the effects of the provision of any form of medical, nursing, social or psychological support and/or counselling to mothers and families after perinatal death.

Search strategy: We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, Medline (1966 to 1998) and reference lists of articles.

Selection criteria: Randomised trials of any form of general support aimed at encouraging acceptance of loss, specific bereavement counselling, or specialised psychological support/counselling including psychotherapy for women and families experiencing perinatal death.

Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility of trials.

Main results: No trials were included.

Reviewer's conclusions: No information is available from randomised trials to indicate whether there is or is not a benefit from providing specific psychological support or counselling after perinatal death.