Bereavement support for couples following death of a baby: Program development and 14-year exit analysis

Program development, implementation, and a 14-year exit analysis of a bereavement support program for couples whose baby died in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is presented. A closed, hospital-based, time-limited (12 weeks) format was used. Team leadership was used and 54% of bereaved NICU parents participated. Each group was structured with a 2-week introductory period, open format grief-focused weekly discussions, evaluation in Week 11, and summary session with termination in Week 12. The exit analysis details program strengths, weaknesses, and recommendations. Bereavement support-groups are one part of what we contend should be a comprehensive bereavement program, organized to care for families prior to, during, and after a baby death. A sensitive, spiritually aware, supportive environment should be maintained throughout with relationship building as a cornerstone of the program.