[Palliative Care in the Delivery Room]

Abstract

Palliative care in the delivery room is a multiprofessional challenge directed to the dying newborn and the parents as well as to the care-givers. Clinical experience shows that many aspects regarding this unique palliative care situation are not well known and cause relevant emotional distress to the health care providers. In this article basic background information of palliative care of newborns in the delivery room are presented. Furthermore, recommendations are given focusing on 2 main aspects: 1. non-pharmacological and pharmacological ways of symptom control in palliative care of dying newborns and 2. meeting the individual psychological, emotional and spiritual needs of the parents.