Peringkat
In short
Perinatal bereavement describes the emotional and psychological grief experienced by families following the death of a fetus or newborn infant.
In plain words
It is the deep sadness felt by parents when they lose a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth. This loss is often sudden and can be a very traumatic event for the whole family.
A simple example
A couple experiences perinatal bereavement after losing their baby during the third trimester of pregnancy.
Why it matters
This issue affects roughly one in ten women globally, with millions of deaths occurring each year. Recognising this grief is vital for providing necessary mental health support to grieving parents.
Easy to mix up
It should not be confused with general childhood bereavement, as the timing and psychological impact of losing a baby during or just after birth are unique.