ABSTRACT
Budget cuts have increased the patient-caregiver ratio, challenging all aspects of care: physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Spirituality is as unique as each individual. An individual’s spirituality impacts his or her reaction to events and people. Involvement in a faith community may not be commensurate with spirituality. The key to meeting the spiritual needs of a patient is acceptance that each individual is unique. A person’s response to a positive outcome or an unexpected crisis is also unique and may reflect or provide for spiritual growth. Reserving judgment is essential to providing a sense of spiritual security. The spiritual aspect of giving birth to new life invokes many reactions from parents and those who support them. Caregivers who are parents bring a special sensitivity as they share the reactions of many of the families. Caregivers need to support the patient by listening to their anguish, pain, and exhaustion rather than to their words. Care for obstetric patients has changed dramatically.
