BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND THE END: WHEN CARE MEANS RECOGNIZING THE DIGNITY OF LIFE

Juscilene Leite

Todos os Trabalhos

Trabalho

Título do Trabalho

BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND THE END: WHEN CARE MEANS RECOGNIZING THE DIGNITY OF LIFE

Autores

Juscilene Leite

Modalidade

Resumo

Área temática

Compromisso Social do Médico Católico

Data de Publicação

21/08/2026

País da Publicação

Brasil

Idioma da Publicação

pt-BR

Página do Trabalho

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/xxvii-fiamc-world-congress-for-catholic-physicians-abstract-session-688844/1511842-between-the-beginning-and-the-end--when-care-means-recognizing-the-dignity-of-life

ISBN

978-65-272-2684-0

Palavras-Chave

Perinatal loss, Spiritual care, Grief, Medical ethics

Resumo

Perinatal loss is a profoundly impactful event, often accompanied by intense emotional and existential suffering, requiring a comprehensive and compassionate approach from healthcare professionals. A primigravida patient at 20 weeks of gestation, with a twin pregnancy, was admitted with spontaneous abortion and progressed to labor without maternal complications. The fetuses weighed 475 g and 450 g. During labor, in the midst of an imminent loss, the parents made a simple yet deeply meaningful request: they wished for their children to be baptized. In that moment, clinical data became secondary to the emotional and spiritual needs of the family. The request was not merely for a religious act, but for recognition — an affirmation that those lives existed, were loved, and possessed dignity. Respecting the family’s beliefs, the attending physician performed the baptism during labor in a simple and dignified manner. This act represented a shift from purely technical care to a more comprehensive approach, integrating emotional and spiritual dimensions. Perinatal grief is frequently underestimated despite its long-term psychological impact. Recognizing the existence of the newborn and validating the loss are essential elements in supporting the grieving process. In this context, spirituality can play a central role in providing meaning and comfort. This experience highlights that, even when cure is no longer possible, care remains essential. The physician’s role extends beyond clinical intervention to include presence, empathy, and the ability to acknowledge the human experience in its most vulnerable moments. Recognizing the dignity of a life, no matter how brief, does not change the outcome, but it profoundly transforms the meaning of that encounter. There is a moment when medicine can no longer save, but it is precisely then that it can truly care.

Título do Evento: XXVII FIAMC World Congress for Catholic Physicians - ABSTRACT SESSION
Cidade do Evento: Brasília
Título dos Anais do Evento: Proceedings of the XXVII FIAMC World Congress of Catholic Physicians and VI Brazilian Congress of Catholic Physicians
Nome da Editora: Even3
Meio de Divulgação: Meio Digital

Como citar

LEITE, Juscilene. BETWEEN THE BEGINNING AND THE END: WHEN CARE MEANS RECOGNIZING THE DIGNITY OF LIFE.. In: Proceedings of the XXVII FIAMC World Congress of Catholic Physicians and VI Brazilian Congress of Catholic Physicians. Anais...Brasília(DF) Casa Dom Luciano, 2026. Disponível em: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/xxvii-fiamc-world-congress-for-catholic-physicians-abstract-session-688844/1511842-BETWEEN-THE-BEGINNING-AND-THE-END--WHEN-CARE-MEANS-RECOGNIZING-THE-DIGNITY-OF-LIFE. Acesso em: 11/09/2026