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Sterilisation after bereavement — DFSRH MCQ

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HardMale and female sterilisationSterilisation after bereavementDFSRH

A 34-year-old woman requests female sterilisation during a consultation 6 weeks after a stillbirth. She is tearful, reports poor sleep, and says she wants to make sure this cannot happen again. What is the most appropriate management?

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Correct answer: B — Provide support and defer irreversible sterilisation decision until grief and alternatives are explored

Sterilisation can be appropriate for some patients, but immediately after bereavement the decision requires sensitive counselling, support and careful exploration of regret risk and alternatives. Proceeding urgently risks an inadequately considered irreversible intervention. CHC is not the sole alternative, refusing discussion is poor care, and hysterectomy is not a contraceptive procedure. The pearl is that consent quality matters as much as the procedure requested.

Reference: FSRH Guidance: Male and Female Sterilisation; NICE CKS Contraception