Understanding Baby Loss: The Sociology of Life, Death and Post-Mortem

This book explores the experiences of parents who have experienced baby loss and the decisions they make about post-mortem examinations. It also examines the challenges professionals face in this sensitive field and provides a comprehensive analysis of sociologically pertinent issues related to trauma, emotions, decisions, care technology, memory, and social and biological relationships.

Format: Hardback
Length: 246 pages
Publication date: 21 November 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This book provides a comprehensive and sensitive account of how parents experience different forms of baby loss and subsequently make decisions about post-mortem examination. It also analyzes some of the challenges professionals face when working in this highly sensitive field of medicine. Drawing on data from an ESRC award-winning UK-based study on the development of minimally invasive post-mortem, the book examines a range of sociologically pertinent issues related to trauma, emotions, decisions, care technology, memory, and the role of social and biological relationships. By shedding light on this taboo aspect of healthcare, the book makes a highly original contribution to sociology, offering a comprehensive analysis of some of the most pressing concerns in the field to date.

Introduction:
The loss of a baby is a devastating experience that can have profound emotional and psychological consequences for parents. It is a topic that is often taboo and difficult to discuss, but it is essential to understand the experiences of those who have gone through it. This book aims to provide a detailed and sensitive account of how parents experience different forms of baby loss and subsequently make decisions about post-mortem examination.

Chapter 1:
The first chapter explores the emotional impact of baby loss on parents. It highlights the range of emotions that parents may experience, including grief, anger, guilt, and sadness. It also examines the ways in which parents may cope with these emotions and the support they may need from family, friends, and healthcare professionals.

Chapter 2:
The second chapter examines the decision-making process that parents go through when considering a post-mortem examination. It explores the factors that influence parents' decisions, such as their cultural and religious beliefs, their previous experiences with pregnancy and childbirth, and their understanding of the benefits and risks of post-mortem examination.

Chapter 3:
The third chapter analyzes some of the challenges that professionals face when working in the field of baby loss. It discusses the ethical considerations that arise when conducting post-mortem examinations, such as the need to respect the wishes of the family and the importance of providing accurate and sensitive information to the family.

Chapter 4:
The fourth chapter examines the role of technology in the field of baby loss. It discusses the use of minimally invasive post-mortem examination techniques, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, and their potential benefits and risks.

Chapter 5:
The fifth chapter explores the impact of baby loss on social and biological relationships. It examines the ways in which parents may struggle to maintain their relationships with their other children and their partners, and the ways in which they may seek support from family and friends.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of sociology. It sheds light on a taboo aspect of healthcare that affects many families, and it offers a comprehensive analysis of some of the most pressing concerns in the field to date. By providing a sensitive and comprehensive account of how parents experience baby loss and make decisions about post-mortem examination, this book will be of interest to sociologists conclusion, this book provides a valuable contribution to the field of sociology. It sheds light on a taboo aspect of healthcare that affects many families, and it offers a comprehensive analysis of some of the most pressing concerns in the field to date. By providing a sensitive and comprehensive account of how parents experience baby loss and make decisions about post-mortem examination, this book will be of interest to sociologists, healthcare professionals, and anyone who wants to better understand the experiences of those who have gone through baby loss.

Weight: 434g
Dimension: 146 x 224 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526163189