Bereavement f/u pp

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I am trying to get our department's bereavement program more organized with better follow up. I would appreciate suggestions on how to go about the follow up, like how many days out do you make calls, what questions do you ask the moms and anything else that would be helpful.

Thanks

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WOW I'D HATE HAVING TO DO THAT JOB IT WOULD BE SO SAD . BLESS THOSE OF YOU WHO DO THAT KIND OF WORK I COULDN'T HANDLE IT :crying2:

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

We make calls at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, 4 months, and as needed to a year. It also depends on holidays during that time period also. Have you been thru the RTS bereavement training?? It is a wonderful program that trains you in just that area. It also gives you info on starting or enhancing your program. They don't give them as often as I would like, but their website is

http://www.bereavmentservices.org

Check it out and see what you think.

Remember that you are following up on those who have has a loss. You are not a therapist or licensed counselor. Listen and direct to those who can help if necessary. Your main goal is to let the parents know that their loss has not been forgotten. Open ended questions are always key, and really just listening if they need to talk. It really depends on where they are in the grief cycle.

I know it isn't indepth, but I just got up...lol. This subject is very dear to me, and a calling of sorts.

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Specializes in OB/peds (after gen surgery for 3 yrs).
This subject is very dear to me, and a calling of sorts.

I know exactly what you mean. The last time I worked in a hospital (over 14 years ago) I was the charge nurse and always assigned myself to women and families with pregnancy or infant loss. I felt like I was "good" with them. The RTS (Resolve through Sharing) program is fantastic. I wish I could find a full time job with them. And after I became so involved, I miscarried twins at 14 weeks and a single at 9 weeks. I have a wonderful 14 year old son now....my work experience helped me through tough times and personal experience helped my work.

Unfortunately, I can't answer the original question, because I don't remember.

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Specializes in Specializes in L/D, newborn, GYN, LTC, Dialysis.

WOW way to go on your calling. I work with a wonderful nurse who has suffered several losses of her own and is one of the strongest people I ever met. And I am sure it's HER calling to do this, as well. And she does a brilliant job with it. If you are called to do it, please, answer the call. There are so many of us who would love to have your services. Perinatal loss is one of the hardest things a family can go through----people even wind up divorced in its wake sometimes. The saddness and stress are unbearable. It helps when we k now there are people like you who care and are willing to touch us when we need you.

DO IT!!! MY hat is off to you. I can ask my coworker where she got her training and gets her materials.....she belongs to a committee that meets at least monthly.

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Specializes in Nurse Manager, Labor and Delivery.

I have just joined the advisory board for our hospital in this area. I just recently did the RTS certification and it was wonderful. Seems I have attended most of the demises in the past few years (as labor nurse) and have had my share of tears. God puts me in that place I believe. There are times I am driving to work and I just know there is one there waiting for me. I don't know how to explain it..it is just something I like to do. Not the whole loss thing..believe me..I don't know what I would do...but just really getting in there on an intimate level. It is a gift for me to be allowed to share in such a moment in their lives. I only hope that with each event, each situation, I can be of some service.

Followup is something I am going to be doing more and more. Right now I am on the labor and immediate post partum levels. I am hoping that I learn much and give tons.

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I have just joined the advisory board for our hospital in this area. I just recently did the RTS certification and it was wonderful. Seems I have attended most of the demises in the past few years (as labor nurse) and have had my share of tears. God puts me in that place I believe. There are times I am driving to work and I just know there is one there waiting for me. I don't know how to explain it..it is just something I like to do. Not the whole loss thing..believe me..I don't know what I would do...but just really getting in there on an intimate level. It is a gift for me to be allowed to share in such a moment in their lives. I only hope that with each event, each situation, I can be of some service.

Followup is something I am going to be doing more and more. Right now I am on the labor and immediate post partum levels. I am hoping that I learn much and give tons.

I know from experience: I delivered at 27 weeks with twins......one of our girls lived four months and we have one very SPECIAL almost 19 year old that is perfect in every way. She was 1 lb 7 oz. She is getting ready to go off to college. Any way.....let me know if you need any one on one advice. Scarlett

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