Abstract
BackgroundBereavement from a twin pregnancy can result in complex emotions as parents are often caring for a surviving sibling while mourning the loss of their infant. Health professionals have reported feeling ill-equipped to deal with the specific needs of parents in this situation. Our aim was to ascertain the current knowledge, training needs and self-rated confidence of health professionals in providing support to parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy.MethodsWe used an online survey, sent by email via professional organisations and clinical networks, to neonatal and fetal medicine doctors, neonatal nurses, and midwives. Respondents provided anonymous responses to questions on their experience of training and knowledge of existing guidelines, confidence in supporting parents and current practice in their hospital neonatal unit.ResultsWe received 293 responses. Less than half (47.3%) of respondents had received training for supporting parents and 62% felt more training and further guidelines were required. Less than a third of respondents reported having no or some confidence when providing emotional support to parents.ConclusionsCurrent training and guidelines in the UK to support health professionals caring for parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy are inadequate. Guidelines for healthcare professionals who support parents experiencing the loss of a baby from a twin pregnancy are needed.
Highlights
Bereavement from a twin pregnancy can result in complex emotions as parents are often caring for a surviving sibling while mourning the loss of their infant
The aim of this study was to ascertain the current knowledge, training needs and self-rated confidence in providing care to parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy, of health professionals working in obstetrics, fetal medicine and neonatology
We developed a web-based survey for health professionals involved in supporting parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy whilst caring for a surviving sibling
Summary
Bereavement from a twin pregnancy can result in complex emotions as parents are often caring for a surviving sibling while mourning the loss of their infant. Health professionals have reported feeling ill-equipped to deal with the specific needs of parents in this situation. Our aim was to ascertain the current knowledge, training needs and self-rated confidence of health professionals in providing support to parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy. What is less well known is how confident health professionals feel in Bereavement from a twin pregnancy can result in complex emotions as parents are often caring for a surviving sibling who may not be well while mourning the loss of their infant [2]. The aim of this study was to ascertain the current knowledge, training needs and self-rated confidence in providing care to parents who have experienced a loss from a twin pregnancy, of health professionals working in obstetrics, fetal medicine and neonatology
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