N13 · Grief after pregnancy loss
Actual Maternal and newborn
Definition
Sorrow after miscarriage, stillbirth, or loss of a newborn.- Miscarriage
- stillbirth
- death of a newborn
- Crying
- numbness
- guilt
- withdrawal
📋 Scenario
A couple grieves after a stillbirth.
Subjective (S): "I wanted her so much."
Objective (O): Stillbirth; crying; numb; partner distressed; no support yet.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-MOTHER Mother & Newborn Check
Validated scales to consider: MEOWS, APGAR
**CarePath diagnosis:** Grief after pregnancy loss related to miscarriage, as evidenced by crying and numbness.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Show compassion. | Compassion tells the couple that their loss is real and their feelings are valid, which opens the way for grieving. |
| Allow time with the baby. | Spending time with their baby lets parents say goodbye and make memories, and many find this helps them grieve in a healthy way. |
| Offer keepsakes. | Keepsakes such as photos, footprints or a blanket give lasting memories of their daughter and help with later grieving. |
| Refer to counseling. | Counseling gives specialized help for grief, which can be long and complicated, especially when support is lacking. |
| Follow up. | Follow-up lets the team check on their coping and physical recovery, since grief can last long after discharge. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Grieves openly.
- Spends time with the baby if wished.
- Support in place.
- Follow-up arranged.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
The couple grieves after a stillbirth, and the mother says, "I wanted her so much." They are crying and numb, the partner is distressed and they have no support yet. This fits grief after pregnancy loss because their sorrow is a direct response to losing the baby, and it is already present, so it is actual. It is specific to pregnancy loss rather than general grief. The plan aims for them to grieve openly, spend time with the baby if they wish, have support in place and have follow-up arranged, through compassion, keepsakes and counseling.
CarePath diagnosis
Grief after pregnancy loss related to miscarriage, as evidenced by crying and numbness.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Show compassion. | Compassion tells the couple that their loss is real and their feelings are valid, which opens the way for grieving. |
| 2. Allow time with the baby. | Spending time with their baby lets parents say goodbye and make memories, and many find this helps them grieve in a healthy way. |
| 3. Offer keepsakes. | Keepsakes such as photos, footprints or a blanket give lasting memories of their daughter and help with later grieving. |
| 4. Refer to counseling. | Counseling gives specialized help for grief, which can be long and complicated, especially when support is lacking. |
| 5. Follow up. | Follow-up lets the team check on their coping and physical recovery, since grief can last long after discharge. |
Expected outcomes
- Grieves openly.
- Spends time with the baby if wished.
- Support in place.
- Follow-up arranged.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
The couple grieves after a stillbirth, and the mother says, "I wanted her so much." They are crying and numb, the partner is distressed and they have no support yet. This fits grief after pregnancy loss because their sorrow is a direct response to losing the baby, and it is already present, so it is actual. It is specific to pregnancy loss rather than general grief. The plan aims for them to grieve openly, spend time with the baby if they wish, have support in place and have follow-up arranged, through compassion, keepsakes and counseling.