Acute grief and mourning: one obstetrician's experience.

Abstract

Perinatal death is a fact of our workplace. Most losses are unexpected. The acute nature of the loss is associated with grief and mourning lasting for many months. The emotional impact on the family and the physician, both initially and during the bereavement period, is intense and potentially negative. The clinical interactions that occur during this time speak to the art of medicine and the privilege of being a physician.