Support for women/families after perinatal death.
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.


OBJECTIVE
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.


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


METHODS
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.


METHODS
Two reviewers independently assessed eligibility of trials.


RESULTS
No trials were included.


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.
Chambers
H M
HM
Pathology Services, King Edward Memorial and Princess Margaret Hospitals, 374 Bagot Road, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia, 6008. helen.chambers@health.wa.gov.au
Chan
F Y
FY
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001601:Bereavement; D003376:Counseling; D003643:Death; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008016:Life Change Events; D011247:Pregnancy; D012944:Social Support