AWHONN Perinatal Orientation and Education Program (POEP) Practice Exam 2026 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Resource to Exam Success!

Upon learning of a fetal demise, parents often experience shock and disbelief. This response is rooted in the profound emotional impact of losing a child, which disrupts their expectations and dreams for the future. When parents receive such devastating news, it's common for them to struggle to process the information immediately, leading to feelings of confusion about the situation itself and what it means for them personally and as a family.

Shock serves as a natural defense mechanism, allowing individuals to temporarily disengage from the emotional pain of the loss, making it difficult to comprehend the finality of the situation. Disbelief often manifests as feelings of numbness or a sense that the event is unreal. This period can be critically important for parents, as they begin to navigate their grief journey, recognizing that the emotional aftermath will unfold over time.

While other responses such as confusion and doubt can occur, they typically follow this initial shock phase. Parents may also experience reluctance to seek care, but this is not a universal response and can vary significantly based on individual circumstances and support systems.