In today’s issue

📖 Deep dive: 5 lessons L&D nurses can learn from the "Companioning Philosophy”
🔗 The best links I found this week
🩷 Self-care moment: A proven tactic for reducing stress

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📖 Deep Dive

5 lessons L&D nurses can learn from Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt’s "Companioning Philosophy”

Today, we’re highlighting Dr. Alan D. Wolfelt, a renowned grief counselor and educator, who developed the Companioning Philosophy. Psst. If you haven’t heard about it, read the report here. It’s a powerful framework that can transform how L&D nurses support families during their most vulnerable moments - particularly those experiencing loss.

What’s the Companioning Philosophy?

At its core, companioning isn't about fixing or resolving grief. Instead, it's about being wholly present with those in our care. This approach resonates deeply with our work in L&D, where sometimes the most powerful thing we can offer is our presence.

How to apply this when supporting demise patients?

Presence Over Problem-Solving When facing pregnancy loss or difficult births, the clinical instinct is to "fix." However, companioning teaches that being present to a family's pain, without trying to eliminate it, can be more healing than any clinical intervention. This means sitting with them in silence, acknowledging their feelings, and creating space for their grief.

The Power of Sacred Silence In L&D settings, there can be pressure to fill quiet moments with words of comfort or medical explanations. The companioning philosophy reminds healthcare providers that silence can be therapeutic. Sometimes, just being there, holding space, and allowing families to process their emotions is the most supportive action possible.

Heart-Centered Listening While clinical training emphasizes analytical thinking, companioning encourages listening with the heart. This means moving beyond medical assessments to truly hear patients' stories, fears, and hopes. It's about understanding their emotional journey, not just their clinical presentation.

Walking Alongside The philosophy emphasizes partnership over leadership. L&D nurses aren't just clinical providers – they can be companions on their patients' birthing journeys. This means supporting choices, respecting birth plans, and being present without taking control.

Embracing Uncertainty Perhaps most importantly, companioning teaches respect for disorder and confusion. In L&D, not everything goes according to plan, and families often struggle with unexpected outcomes. Instead of rushing to impose order, healthcare providers can acknowledge and validate these feelings of uncertainty.

In Summary

• Creating moments of intentional silence during difficult conversations

• Practicing active, heart-centered listening during assessments

• Acknowledging that there's no "right way" to experience birth or loss

• Focusing on presence over task completion when time allows

🔗 My Favorite Finds

📚 Healing

"The Best Books for Parents Grieving the Loss of a Child" – A thoughtfully curated list to guide grieving parents toward comfort and understanding. (Gemma’s Hope)

📸 Memory

"Saline Immersion Photography" – A moving exploration of how this emerging technique creates healing memories for grieving parents. (AWHONN)

🛁 Photography Tool

A simple, (and somewhat surprising) solution for bereavement photography suggested by a member of the L&D Rock FB Group. (Prodyne)

🩷 Self-care moment

Put It on Paper: A proven tactic for reducing stress and healing

"Writing about stressful events helps you come to terms with them, thus reducing the impact of these stressors on your physical health. This practice can strengthen your immune system, decrease blood pressure, and improve overall emotional well-being."

James W. Pennebaker, Ph.D. – Pioneering researcher in expressive writing and psychology author of Opening Up by Writing It Down