Handbook of Perinatal and Neonatal Palliative Care

This book provides clinicians from multiple disciplines the opportunity to examine key topics that can be practically considered for implementation into practice. It provides information from a wide variety of viewpoints that will enable individual team members to forge interdisciplinary approaches to care, assess current programs, develop strategies to improve the quality of care, and tailor new models of care for patients in need of palliative care services. The book spans all aspects of the clinical and compassionate care of patients, families, and caregivers. Written by experts from all clinical disciplines, including medical and surgical physicians, mental health professionals, nurses, therapists, and chaplains, it shows great respect for and gives voice to affected families and their babies. It addresses the multidimensional aspects of perinatal and neonatal palliative care. Encompassing the perspectives of neonatologists, maternal-fetal medicine and other physicians, neonatal and perinatal nurse practitioners, midwives, nurses in all sectors of perinatal care, and child life specialists, chaplains, social workers, genetic counselors, lactation consultants, and others, the book underscores the unique aspects of perinatal and neonatal palliative care, with a focus on improving quality of life, as well as comfort at the end of life. It describes healthcare for neonates and pregnant mothers, care and support of the family, planning and decision making, and effective support for grief and bereavement. It addresses all palliative and neonatal palliative care settings, including home care, and covers elements of comfort care, such as pain medication and oxygen. The book focuses on the prenatal period after diagnosis of the expected baby’s life-threatening condition. These include such topics as care of the mother, delivering devastating news, and advance care planning.