Handbook of Perinatal and Neonatal Palliative Care: A Guide for Nurses, Physicians, and Other Health Professionals

The first resource of its kind, this authoritative handbook holistically addresses the multidimensional aspects of perinatal and neonatal palliative care. Written by an interprofessional team of renowned specialists, it is both a text and an evidencebased reference for all members of the palliative care team. This book helps individual team members forge interdisciplinary approaches to care, assess current programs, improve the quality of care, and tailor new models of care.Encompassing the perspectives of numerous multidisciplinary healthcare providers, 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, addressing all palliative and neonatal care settings.Other chapters focus 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. Each chapter contains photos, figures, and/or tables and case studies with clinical implications and critical thinking questions. Also included is an extensive listing of relevant palliative care organizations. Paintings and poetry provide an artistic backdrop to the authors' inspiring words.Key Features: Addresses a growing need for specific provider resources in neonatal palliative careCovers the clinical and emotional aspects of palliative care for babies and their familiesAbundant resources for effective and compassionate family-centered careCase studies with critical thinking questionsAccompanying video clips of healthcare and family interactionsSupplemental image bank included