O-177 Emotional experiences of staff caring for parents suffering a pregnancy loss

Experiencing pregnancy loss can have devastating emotional impacts on expectant parents, leading them to experience depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. There is now a well-established literature into the experiences of expectant parents, with dozens of studies conducted since the 1990s. However, over this period there has been notably less research conducted into the experiences of the professionals who care for these women. Addressing this is crucial; healthcare professionals are the greatest asset that healthcare systems have. Providing better support for them is the best route to improving care for expectant parents. The studies which have been conducted suggest the emotional toll on professionals can be significant. Emotions described can reflect those of expectant parents, including sadness, grief, and anger. One study suggested that delivering this care can be like ‘working in darkness’; another found that delivering news of losses to expectant parents on a regular basis can cause an emotional ‘repetitive strain injury’ for some. This talk will tackle this topic, providing updates and insights from recent studies which have investigated the experiences of healthcare professionals who undertake the emotional work of caring for expectant parents who are experiencing loss. It will take an interactive approach, using audience feedback to understand and learn from the experiences shared by those in the room. The importance and value of professionals who work in this area will be highlighted; coping strategies and self-care activities will be considered.