End of Life Competency, Research Paper Example

Introduction

Stillbirth is a fetal death which occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy (Cacciatore, 2007). It is evident, however, that most stillbirths occur before labor begins and a small number occur during labor and delivery; the pregnant woman may suspect that something is wrong if the fetus stops moving around (Swanson, 1988).

End Of Life Care On A Stillborn Child

Physical examination by pediatric genetic doctor, blood test, autopsy and x-ray to diagnose common chromosomal problem and specific disorders must be carried out to establish the cause of the baby’s condition (Barr, 2005). Even if the cause of stillbirth remains unknown, the results from these tests are not only helpful to the deceased in planning for future pregnancy but also to understand that there was nothing that could have been done that could have the child’s safety (Cacciatore, 2007).

During the time of loss it is advisable for the couple to assess to their cultural beliefs and practices which may be comforting and to facilitate those rituals such as funeral and memorial services. It is believed that making memories of the child is useful and so the deceased must have comfort with the baby (Barr, 2005).

To help the family members come to terms with the child’s loss, it is important for them to spend much time possible with the baby. Though it can be emotionally challenging and overwhelming, the siblings must be informed on what has happened of not having the baby taken home, this happens when there are other children (Barr, 2005).

It is good to be aware that somebody else understands what you are going through, therefore joining support group who are compost the parents that have the same experience; it is aimed at sharing feelings and to learn from others how they cope with the loss.

The deceased must give herself time to rest and get plenty of rest in order to heal emotionally, read available sources that can provide guidance and support and with time they forget the loss. Mothers’ breasts may be filled with milk and so to ease the discomfort of pain, taking warm bath for several days is advisable.

Birth Defects

Birth defects are psychological or physicalabnormalities that develop at or before birth and are there at the time of birth, the abnormalities are due to infection, defective development, harm or inheritance. It is necessary to give both the patient and family physical, psychological, social and spiritual support, those offering care should be able to access the needs of each and to know when to seek advice from specialist palliative care service (Froen, 2005).

The family who has delivered a child with defects has the child with them alive during birth but in this case, in it is expected to die in weeks (Barr, 2005). As seen above, certain activities will be appropriate for example, testing for various infections which might have caused the defects and getting in touch with someone who has been through the same problem by the support group (Barr, 2005).  Some of the cares on patients with birth defects are:

Acknowledgement of emotions or feelings and a permission to mourn the loss of healthy new born as the family expected, they should learn to address some issues about their child and can consider visiting a counselor. If necessary, they should know the clinical expectation before the child loss. When the death is near, let them be aware so that they can be with the child during that time if they wish.

The child should be kept comfortable and free of pain so that he can die peacefully. This is attained by comfortable positioning and keeping him clean as possible (Froen, 2005). They also must stay with him as much as they want and being shown how to care, in case the child is in pain, give the pain medication in the right dose at the right time; these drugs may even increase effectiveness (Barr, 2005).

The family should be told the clinical expectation to have opportunity to ask questions concerning the Childs’ condition, stay with the child or even contact relevant people and to prepare themselves for death.

Palliative Care

Palliative care is defined by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence as an active holistic care of patients with the advanced progressive illness; it involves management of pain and other symptoms and provision of psychological social and spiritual support (Froen, 2005).The goal of this approach is toimprove the quality of life of individuals, their friends and families as they face the problems associated with life-threatening illness (Cacciatore, 2007). It regards dying as a normal process, provides relieve from distressing symptoms and offers a support system to help patients live as actively as possible until death and helps the family cope during the patient’s illness and in their mourning (Cacciatore, 2007).

Generally, there are two categories of health and social care professionals who provides these care, these are the consultants who specialized in Palliative care and those who are providing day-to-day care of patients in either homes or hospitals (Froen, 2005).

Palliative care is necessary for a family that has delivered a child with significant birth defects and it is anticipated that death will occur within weeks in the following ways:

It offers the support system to help the family and friends cope during the patient’s illness and in preparation of their mourning more so, to address the needs of patient together with the family (Froen, 2005).

It affirms life and consider end of life a normal process; the family should accept will the loss occur.

As a result of palliative care, the patient gets support system to live actively until death, it ensures quality life.

It incorporates both the spiritual and psychological aspect of patients care

In conclusion, the significance of this answerability cannot be overvalued because different from malpractice-minded Dutch and American people by and broad trust their physicians (Froen, 2005). The Netherlands is not a specifically controversial humanity, nor are its doctors as disturbed by the stress of big pharma, capitalistdisagreements of inequities, and interest in the health care release system that have wear away the relationship between the doctor and the patient in the United States of America(Cacciatore, 2007). But the hope between the physicians and the Dutch people does not survive merely in the nonattendance of reasons for disbelieve; it is intentionally cultivated as a communally valuable product. A lot about Dutch medical apply—house communications, sufficient funding for mental health concerns, the actuality that 30 percent of born children are given birth at home—assists maintain the self-assurance the Dutch public lounges in its physicians. The clearness of the course of reflection and action needed by the Groningen Protocol provides as another mechanism for fostering and spiraling this reliance.

Reference

Cacciatore, J. (2007). Principal investigator. Effects of Social Support on Maternal Depression following Stillbirth.Daniel’s Star Foundation. Award: $12,000.00

Cacciatore, J., Froen, J.F., et al. (2005).Co-principal investigator. MOMStudy. Collected data on 5,000 women experiencing live or stillbirth.Norweigan Institute of Public Health, MISS Foundation. Award: $10,000.00

Barr, P., & Cacciatore, J. (2004-2005). Maternal Grief and Fear of Death Study. Collected data on 400 women who had experienced the death of a child. Award: $7500.00