title: The social worker's role with a fetal demise and stillbirth.
abstract: When an unborn life suddenly becomes a fetal demise or stillbirth, family members are profoundly affected. Often the mother feels guilt or shame and cannot come to terms with such a loss. Counseling a grieving family may involve such matters as assisting the family in making arrangements for burial or disposition of the body. Additionally, the social worker may become directly involved preparing the body of a stillborn baby or fetal demise for viewing and holding. This article explains the procedures for assisting the family through the grief and mourning process. It offers details for preparing the baby for viewing and holding, describes burial arrangements, and provides information on hospital policies for the disposal of a fetal demise or stillbirth.
authors.affiliation: Riverside General Hospital, CA 92503.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pauw
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D002048:Burial; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D012380:Role; D012947:Social Work