Overview

A Gift of Time is a gentle and practical guide for parents who decide to continue their pregnancy knowing that their baby's life will be brief. When prenatal testing reveals that an unborn child is expected to die before or shortly after birth, some parents will choose to proceed with the pregnancy and to welcome their child into the world. With compassion and support, A Gift of Time walks them step-by-step through this challenging and emotional experience-from the infant's life-limiting prenatal diagnosis and the decision to have the baby to coping with the pregnancy and making plans for the baby's birth and death. A Gift of Time also offers inspiration and reassurance through the memories of numerous parents who have loved a child who did not survive. Their moving experiences are stories of grief-and of hope. Their anguish over the prenatal diagnosis turns to joy and love during the birth of their child and to gratitude and peace when reflecting on their baby's short life. Full of practical suggestions for parents and for caregivers, A Gift of Time also features the innovative concept of perinatal hospice and palliative care. Caring and thoughtful, the book helps parents embrace the extraordinary time they will have with their child.

Full Product Details

Author:   Amy Kuebelbeck ,  Deborah L. Davis
Publisher:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint:   Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:   Width: 15.20cm , Height: 3.10cm , Length: 22.90cm
Weight:   0.703kg
ISBN:  

9780801897610

ISBN 10:   0801897610
Pages:   408
Publication Date:   12 April 2011
Recommended Age:   From 17
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   Out of stock  
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Table of Contents

Introduction 1. The News: Receiving Your Baby's Diagnosis Before the Diagnosis Understanding Diagnostic Prenatal Testing Receiving the News The Immediate Emotional Storm 2. What Now? Making Decisions about Continuing Your Pregnancy Facing the Decision Options Presented Perinatal Hospice and Palliative Care Gathering Information Sorting through Your Values Making Decisions with Your Partner Consulting with People You Trust Deciding to Continue 3. The Emotional Journey: Grieving and Adjusting to Your New Path Anticipatory Grief An Overview of the Grieving Process Evolving Emotions Confronting Fears Techniques for Coping You and Your Grieving Partner Your Other Children Spiritual and Philosophical Aspects Living in the Twilight of Death Reclaiming Hope Your Reorientation and Adjustment 4. Waiting with Your Baby: Settling in for the Rest of Your Pregnancy Interacting with Others Finding Support Getting Appropriate Medical Care Embracing the Time Remaining 5. Making Medical Decisions: Choosing Care for Your Baby Researching Your Baby's Condition Researching Your Baby's Treatment Options Ambivalence about Medical Decisions Seeking Outside Advice Deciding to Wait and See Opting for Hospice and Palliative Care 6. Getting Ready: Preparing for Your Baby's Birth, Life, and Death Birth Planning Wishes for after Your Baby's Birth Including Your Baby's Siblings Including Your Family and Friends Other Practical Preparations Preliminary Funeral and Burial Planning Getting Closer to Birth 7. Welcoming Baby: Birth Experiences and Meeting Your Baby Approaching the Time of Birth When Birth Is Imminent Meeting Your Baby If Your Baby Lives after Birth Taking Baby Home 8. Saying Goodbye: Holding On and Letting Go Parenting Your Dying Baby The Dying Process Experiences with Babies as They Are Dying Time with Your Baby after Death Decisions about Your Baby's Body Relinquishing Your Baby's Body Funerals and Memorial Services Your Baby's Final Resting Place 9. Continuing Your Journey: After Your Baby Dies The Mother's Postpartum Recovery Your Grieving Process Continues Identifying Your Feelings More Techniques for Coping Regrets and Making Peace with Them You and Your Partner Your Other Children Dealing with the Outside World Subsequent Pregnancies 10. Reflections Reflections on Your Journey Spiritual Beliefs and Struggles Long-term Reflections on Grief and Healing Personal Transformation If You Could Reach Back in Time . . . Moving Forward with Gratitude Appendix: Sample Birth Plan Notes Index

Reviews

<p> A Gift of Time is a gift. With their beautiful writing, the authors honor the families who contributed to this book, comfort the families who will, sadly, need to make use of this book, and deepen and enrich every reader's human experience... We owe them our gratitude.--Dia Boyle MercatorNet.com (01/01/2011)

<p>This book is an insightful resource for those who have been there and for those who will someday live through such an experience.--Kathy Benson Exhale: A Literary Magazine (01/01/0001)

[A] beautifully written, touching book... It is a must-read not only for parents who find themselves facign such a heart-wrenching situation, but also for those who care for and support these families. Share Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support This informative and heartbreaking book provides information to parents and families in the critical are of continuation of pregnancy in light of a terminal diagnosis... Quotes from patients and families offer a view to help encourage, inspire, and help others feel they are not alone... The health care team can learn much from this text. -- Deborah Roberts Pediatric Nursing Amy Kuebelbeck and Dr. Deborah L. Davis have bravely published a wonderful book... For childbirth educators, this is an important read. -- Jeanine M. Estrada International Journal of Childbirth Education A compelling read... the book will, naturally, be most of use to families who are facing these heartbreaking situations right now and need guidance and fellowship. But for all of us who value the lives of children with special needs, especially those who society most devalues, it offers an incredibly hopeful message. About.com The authors have achieved their goals in writing this book; they bring comfort to the families going through this traumatic time, and make the health care providers who read it determined to 'do better.' Advances in Neonatal Care

Author Information

Amy Kuebelbeck, a former reporter and editor for the Associated Press, wrote about her experience losing a child in Waiting with Gabriel: A Story of Cherishing a Baby's Brief Life. Deborah L. Davis, Ph.D., is a developmental psychologist and expert in the emotional aspects of neonatal medical ethics and perinatal bereavement. She is the author of Empty Cradle, Broken Heart: Surviving the Death of Your Baby.

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