Thankfully, most pregnancies are fairly uneventful. However, a significant number of women and their partners will receive unexpected news at some point and there will be times when you, as a midwife, will have to deliver it. This might range from giving antenatal screening results, giving a prenatal diagnosis or having to impart the devastating news that their baby has died. This i-learn module on delivering unexpected news in pregnancy seeks to help you do this difficult part of your role to the best of your ability. 

By the end of this i-learn module on delivering unexpected news in pregnancy you will have:

• reviewed the context of unexpected news in pregnancy
• recognised effective listening and communication in the context of delivering unexpected news
• explored ways of delivering unexpected news
• considered the parent experience of facing distressing news in pregnancy or news that brings uncertainty
• learned more about the psychological impact, including grief and bereavement issues
• examined your own particular professional and personal challenges
• become aware of attitudes and preconceptions that may impede individualised care
• reflected on principles of good practice

This course contains audio recordings (although transcripts are also available).

Study time: 1 hour

Original content: August 2017