Since starting Grief Dialogues, we’ve avoided discussing politics. Experiences of death, dying, and grief affect everyone, no matter their financial status, race, religion, or political views.

After the recent presidential debate, I received many calls and emails from grieving parents who wanted clarity about statements made by a candidate. They ask us to keep working on normalizing grief and advocating for caring support.

On Tuesday, September 10th, presidential candidate Donald Trump made statements about presidential candidate Kamala Harris and her running mate Tim Walz, suggesting they support abortion in the ninth month and even seem to support “execution after birth.” It’s widely thought that Trump was referring to perinatal palliative care, which helps ensure a newborn’s quality of life and comfort if they have life-limiting conditions. It aims to reduce suffering while respecting the family’s values and wishes. Importantly, this care can be provided with life-prolonging treatments.

Post-birth palliative care brings many of the following benefits:

• Helps parents understand their baby’s condition and make informed decisions about treatment options.
• Guides caring for their baby in the hospital setting.
• Provides a plan for the baby’s ongoing health and medical needs.
• Addresses the emotional impact of the baby’s illness on the family.
• Offers emotional and spiritual support for parents and their loved ones.

Our Grief Dialogues community urges us to highlight the vital and empathetic role of palliative care for babies born with lethal conditions. This is especially important in states with strict abortion bans. For example, after Texas implemented its abortion ban in 2021, infant mortality rates rose by 13%. Many of these babies are born with severe health issues and have limited time to live. They often suffer, and their parents face profound grief, needing the chance to hold their baby and say goodbye.

In these states, healthcare providers are increasingly hesitant to ask for newborn palliative care due to fears of legal repercussions similar to those doctors face when performing life-saving abortions.

By advocating for palliative care, we honor the lives of these babies and support families during one of the most challenging times they will ever face. Let’s continue to raise awareness and promote understanding of this essential aspect of caring support.

If you have any questions or comments, please send them to me at el*************@gm***.com.

For additional information about perinatal palliative care, visit:

• The Journal of the American Medical Association — Study: Infant Deaths Climbed in Texas After State Banned Abortion
• Kaiser Permanente — Learning About Palliative Care for Newborns
• The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Perinatal Palliative Care

In grief and in love,
Elizabeth Coplan