O&G Cases · Professional practice
Unexpected neonatal death — communication station
High-stakes perinatal-loss communication station testing team alignment, plain disclosure, response to emotion, memory-making, investigation and review, longitudinal follow-up and staff wellbeing.
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Study tools
Target exams
FRANZCOGMRCOGABOG
Prompt
A term baby has died unexpectedly after unsuccessful resuscitation in theatre. The mother is recovering after emergency caesarean under general anaesthesia. Her partner witnessed the resuscitation and is waiting in a side room. You must lead the first family conversation and establish ongoing care.
Station brief
Candidate instruction. Lead the first conversation with the partner, then plan disclosure to the mother when she is awake and clinically stable. Explain what happens during the next day and after discharge. Verbalise exact words, not “I would counsel them.”[1][2]
References5ShowHide
- [1]Baile WF, Buckman R, Lenzi R, et al. SPIKES-A six-step protocol for delivering bad news: application to the patient with cancer Oncologist, 2000.PMID 10964998
- [2]Jansens J, Faes K, De Coninck M, et al. A qualitative study of bereaved parents and healthcare professionals on perinatal loss BMC Pregnancy Childbirth, 2024.PMID 39703434
- [3]Blood C, Cacciatore J Best practice in bereavement photography after perinatal death: qualitative analysis with 104 parents BMC Psychol, 2014.PMID 25815187
- [4]Helps Ä, O'Donoghue K, O'Connell O, et al. Bereaved parents involvement in maternity hospital perinatal death review processes: 'Nobody even thought to ask us anything' Health Expect, 2023.PMID 36335583
- [5]Fernández-Basanta S, Movilla-Fernández MJ, Coronado C, et al. Involuntary Pregnancy Loss and Nursing Care: A Meta-Ethnography Int J Environ Res Public Health, 2020.PMID 32106591