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Lactation Information and Discussion

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Subject:
From:
Rachel Myr <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Tue, 3 Apr 2001 01:36:05 +0200
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Breaking bad news compassionately is a skill to be striven for.  The
distinction between 'serious' and 'dangerous' is key there, I think.  Things
can be serious but not immediately life-threatening, like Down's syndrome,
or a cleft lip and palate.  And things can be life-threatening, or
overwhelmingly sad.   Most of my bad news experience has to do with
informing parents about problems in babies.  It is so crucial to communicate
acceptance of whatever reaction the news elicits in the receiver, and if at
all possible, your own recognition of the baby as a love-able being.
Parents also say it means a lot to them that the person giving the news
doesn't conceal her own sadness, as long as that doesn't turn in to the
parents needing to take care of the 'messenger' who is dissolved in grief.

Rachel in Norway

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