[Palliative care in maternity units]

Abstract

Over recent years, palliative care in maternity units has developed considerably. This is due to the evolution of legislation, medicine and requests from many parents, faced with a fatal prenatal diagnosis, to continue with the pregnancy and support their baby at birth. In parallel, the neonatal intensive care of extremely premature babies has improved significantly. Different situations can be concerned by the setting up of palliative care in maternity units. This specific support comprises significant challenges.

Keywords: accompagnement; deuil périnatal; newborn; nouveau-né; obstination déraisonnable; palliative care; parentalité; parenthood; perinatal bereavement; quality of life; qualité de vie; soins palliatifs; support; therapeutic obstinacy.