Keywords

Bereavement, Culture, Latino, Perinatal grief.

 

Authors

  1. Whitaker, Claudia MS, APN, WHNP-BC
  2. Kavanaugh, Karen PhD, RN, FAAN
  3. Klima, Carrie PhD, CNM

Abstract

Extensive research exists that describes the meaning of perinatal loss to some parents, but the experience of loss from the perspective of Latino parents is not clearly understood. Additionally, current perinatal bereavement practices used often to facilitate memory making for parents (such as viewing or holding the baby, taking photographs, or collecting mementos) are based on research done primarily with non-Latino families. Are these common practices appropriate for this population? Because there is a paucity of research on this topic, this article describes what has been written over the past 30 years on the topic of grief and perinatal loss in Latino culture.