Managing Complications in Pregnancy and Childbirth: - IAWG

Emotional and psychological supportC-13AFTER THE EVENT• Allow unlimited visiting time for the woman’s companion.• Counsel the mother and her companion and reassure them that analternative was not available.• Arrange a follow-up visit several weeks after the event to answerany questions and to prepare the woman for a subsequentpregnancy (or the inability/inadvisability of another pregnancy).• Family planning should be provided, if appropriate (Table S-3,page S-13).BIRTH OF A BABY WITH AN ABNORMALITYThe birth of a baby with a malformation is a devastating experience forthe parents and family. Reactions may vary.• Allow the woman to see and hold the baby. Some women accepttheir baby immediately while others may take longer.• Disbelief, denial and sadness are normal reactions, especially if theabnormality is unpredicted. Feelings of unfairness, despair,depression, anxiety, anger, failure and apprehension are common.AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT• Give the baby to the parents at delivery. Allowing the parents tosee the problem immediately may be less traumatic.• In cases of severe deformity, wrap the baby before giving it to themother to hold so that she can see the normality of the baby first.Do not force the mother to examine the abnormality.• Provide a bed or cot in the room so the companion can stay withthe woman if she chooses.AFTER THE EVENT• Discuss the baby and its problem with the woman and her familytogether, if possible.• Allow the woman and her partner free access to their baby. Keepthe baby with its mother at all times. The more the woman and herpartner can do for the baby themselves, the more quickly they willaccept the baby as their own.