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Bereavement In Obstetrics – How To Help

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Bereavement In Obstetrics – How To Help

What Is A Bereavement In Obstetrics?

Bereavement in obstetrics, also known as perinatal bereavement, is the experience following the loss of a baby. This term includes miscarriages, stillbirth, abortion and neonatal loss. It doesn’t need to be said that the loss of an infant is extremely distressing and can have a huge emotional impact on parents.

 

What Would Class As A Bereavement In Obstetrics?

A bereavement in obstetrics could be a miscarriage, a neonatal loss, stillbirth or even an abortion. A miscarriage typically happens in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, but they can happen later in pregnancy. Miscarriages can sometimes cause complications, especially later in a pregnancy. Sometimes a baby may die within the first 28 days after they’re born. This is known as a neonatal death. A stillbirth is when the baby dies before or during delivery.

 

Who Helps Bereaved Parents?

When a baby is born, a midwife helps the parents through the process. This is exactly what happens when a baby is lost. There is such thing as a bereavement midwife, which is a huge help to bereaved parents. Bereavement in obstetrics might be more difficult for those who aren’t parents to understand or to sympathise with. A bereavement midwife provides physical, psychological and emotional support following the death of a baby. They help parents to make memories with the child they have lost, assist with funeral arrangements as well as follow up care.

 

Who Else Helps Bereaved Parents?

There are many charities that revolve around bereavement in obstetrics, one of them being SANDS. At A Loss and The Good Grief Trust, A Child Of Mine, Child Bereavement UK, Child Death Helpline, and The Compassionate Friends also provide support for those who are grieving.

 

Bereavement In Obstetrics And Feelings Of Guilt

Parents who have lost a child, whether it be a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death, may feel that they are to blame. While it is possible that some things may increase the chances of perinatal death, some things are out of our control. Reasons could be genetic, environmental, or there could be no known reason. Regardless of this, the feelings of guilt a parent may have about losing their child can have a negative effect on their mental health and relationships. Bereavement counselling or therapy is something that may be able to help bereaved parents with this.

 

How Can You Help When Somebody You Know Experiences A Bereavement In Obstetrics?

If somebody you know loses their baby, make it known that you are there for them, and that although you may not fully be able to empathise with their situation, you will do your best to. Try not to make throwaway comments about just having another child – this is not what a grieving parent needs to hear, and for most, it’s probably incredibly painful to hear those words. They may need reassurance that it isn’t their fault, or they may not want to talk about it at all. Either way, being there to support them during this difficult time could make a huge difference and help them feel supported through their grief. 


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