I'm A Death Doula. Here's What I've Learned About The End Of Life.

"I explained that his father wasn't able to clear secretions from his throat or airway, which produced a rattling sound. I understood his concern and recognized the fear in his eyes. When I was caring for my dad, I assumed he was choking. At the time, I didn't know that the unsettling noise was a natural part of the dying process."

"One of the most surprising things I learned during my doula training is how common it is for patients to wait for their loved ones to leave the room so they won't witness them taking their last breath. I don't think most people expect that. On the other hand, some hold on until an unresolved issue is settled. Others wait as long as possible for a loved one to visit them one last time."

Gurgling or rattling sounds near death commonly result from inability to clear secretions from the throat or airway and do not necessarily indicate pain. Hearing is typically the last sense to diminish, so patients may still hear conversations at bedside. Family members frequently misinterpret end-of-life noises and express fear or worry about suffering. Some patients consciously wait to avoid having loved ones witness their final breath, while others delay dying until unresolved matters are settled or a final visitor arrives. Awareness of these patterns can guide bedside communication and support for families during dying.

Read at BuzzFeed