ACCEPTANCE OF MEMENTOS OF FETAL AND PERINATAL LOSS IN A SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POPULATION

A package of mementos of a fetal or perinatal loss has been shown to h elp with the grieving process. The level of acceptance and the factors influencing acceptance of these mementos in a South Australian popula tion was examined over a 27-month period. Data were available on 447 w omen and the acceptance rate was 79.6%. Major influences on the accept ance of mementos were maternal age and gestational age. Mothers in the 20-30 year age group were more likely to accept mementos than younger and older mothers. This age-related effect was more noticeable among genetic terminations and neonatal deaths than among spontaneous aborti ons or stillbirths. Memento acceptance of miscarriages and stillbirths over 20 weeks' gestation was significantly greater than for younger g estation. These findings may have an impact on the psychosocial manage ment of perinatal loss. The high level of acceptance of these mementos is encouraging and vindicates our current practice which we recommend to others involved in the management of perinatal loss.