Lactation after loss: supporting women's decision-making following perinatal death

Offering sensitive and compassionate clinical and bereavement care following perinatal death is the innate focus of the caring healthcare professional and facilitating informed choice around the subject of lactation following loss is an integral part of this. However, evidence suggests that there may be a deficiency in the provision of lactation advice and support following loss. Contributory factors may include a lack of awareness of lactation options following bereavement amongst midwives, as well as an absence of clarity around where the responsibility for offering lactation support and advice lies. This paper presents the literature surrounding the support of women's decision-making for lactation following perinatal death, explicating the physiology of lactation in the antenatal and postnatal periods, and exploring the challenges and opportunities for the midwife when supporting grieving mothers to decide the best option for them and their family.