It is a tragedy when parents have an ultrasound and find out that their baby has some type of problem, especially when that problem is incompatible with life. Unfortunately the tragedy is compounded as they are counseled to abort the baby (who will die anyway). Certainly grief can steal our peace, but this is especially true when mothers are encouraged to make decisions that can potentially lead to continued lack of peace as they deal with the guilt of killing their baby rather than letting her die naturally.
This is why I am so grateful for perinatal hospice. The whole purpose of hospice is to help people die in peace. This is important for our littlest people as well – unborn babies.
Matt Anderson describes the role of perinatal hospice in World Magazine:
Perinatal hospice honors life. The woman carrying the disabled child receives extensive counseling and birth preparation involving the combined efforts of MFM [maternal-fetal medicine] specialists, OB/GYN doctors, neonatologists, anesthesia services, chaplains, pastors, social workers, labor and delivery nurses, and neonatal nurses. She carries the pregnancy to its natural conclusion. She and her husband are allowed to grieve and prepare for the short time God may grant them with their child while their baby lives inside or outside the womb. Such a process obviates the grief caused by elective abortion, killing the child before it could be born.
