The grieving mother: care in the community?

The assumption is sometimes made that the mother's own home is the most appropriate place for the grieving mother to begin to mourn her loss. For this reason she may be transferred with undue haste. We must ask why this assumption is made and whether the mother participates in the decision to return home. Other's research suggests that the community may not be able to provide the support which the mother needs and may even make excessive demands of her. The midwife's visits to the mother's home provide an important opportunity to care for the mother, although this opportunity may not always be well utilised. Coping strategies, including self-help groups have been recommended.