This book is based on a funded research project which studied the extent to which the relinquishing mother’s care does or does not facilitate her grieving. The care of the relinquishing mother is examined in comparison with the more widely discussed care of the bereaved mother. Vital issues are addressed relating to the way in which women’s behaviour is viewed by people in general and by carers in particular. The control of the caring relationship and the control of others’ behaviour feature prominently. This book will be of help to the wide range of carers who are involved with women who currently relinquish a baby for adoption. It will also be used by those working with the larger number of women who have relinquished in the past. The authoritative insights which this book provides into peri-natal grieving and grieving in other situations is valuable to professional health care providers as well as informal carers and people who share the widespread interest in loss. As the project incorporated qualitative research techniques, this publication is a valuable resource for researchers contemplating or using these increasingly important methods.