The importance of medical history

Why is it so important to know the history of a PAL mother?

• Clinicians should be aware of patient history – particularly relating to loss and/or birth trauma because it gives context to the patient experience (see the section on why pregnancy after loss differs); 
• Pressure points – there will be certain times which will be especially difficult such as certain gestations or particular anniversaries, events or dates and it can be helpful to know to support the parents during these times; 
• Knowing and understanding the circumstances of the loss/losses enables clinicians to provide sensitive and appropriate clinical care (eg a nurse said to me, “getting pregnant isn’t your problem it is staying pregnant” – they clearly had not understood that I carried Lenny for 40 weeks which is full term and he died just as he was born; 
• Previous experience of poor standards of care. Some families have experienced poor/substandard care or even medical negligence in their previous pregnancy/pregnancies; 
• Strong, unpleasant feelings or even panic responses which are trauma responses. These can be triggered by re-entering specific spaces, having certain tests etc – this is important to know as whilst some tests etc are unavoidable, some things can be addressed – for example avoiding certain rooms.