Palliativpflege und Medizin

Abstrakt

Enhancing Care and Support: The Role of Perinatal Palliative Care in Navigating Life-Threatening Fetal Diagnoses

Sarah Ziane

Perinatal medicine is currently grappling with an increasing array of intricate fetal ailments that can now be detected prior to birth. The advancement of potential life-extending interventions for both pre and postnatal care adds to the unpredictability of prognoses. For medical professionals tasked with guiding families through these complex situations, identifying those who could benefit from early palliative care referrals poses a considerable challenge. We propose that every expectant mother carrying a fetus diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, where prioritizing comfort-oriented care during birth is a valid ethical choice, should be provided with prenatal palliative care support. This support, irrespective of the chosen care strategy, can facilitate well-informed decision-making, offer valuable psychological and grief assistance, and allow for comprehensive care planning that encompasses ways to honor and cherish the life of the fetus or newborn, regardless of its duration.