A baby was born whose physical anomalies made him incapable of continued life. He was brought to the NICU for evaluation of appropriate care, since he had a strong heartbeat and breathing effort. Mom had already been resigned to the fact that he would die, so she did not want to be a part of his dying experience. That meant that the NICU staff needed to develop a care plan for helping the baby die as comfortably as possible. The nursing role usually is to support parents in their grief work, but in this case they were interacting with the baby.

Judith was the nurse who was assigned to his care, but many of her fellow nurses also provided support, as did the charge and resource nurses who stood ready to help with any procedures. The physicians were very sensitive about not allowing the baby to suffer unnecessarily, so they prescribed medications to help him relax while on the ventilator. They also did not order any painful life-prolonging procedures, as he wasn't equipped for extra-uterine life. The respiratory therapist was very tuned into helping him expand his lungs as much as possible, and she helped arrange the tubing & equipment so that he could be held.

The team cared for the baby lovingly, talking to him, bathing and dressing him, taking photos of him. When his heart was slowing and it appeared he would pass soon, they wrapped him in a warm blanket and Judith held him while they rocked. Judith continued talking to him and cradled him, while the physician who was at his side to pronounce him said a prayer. Many staff members gathered at his bedside and honored the time that he had with us. It was a loving and dignified atmosphere when he died.