Health Visitor - Bereaved Parents Section

It is a very sad fact of life that there will always be some parents amongst us who experience the loss of a baby or young child. We appreciate how heartbreaking this is and we wish to provide some support for parents through this difficult period. We have invited some of our expert health professionals who are involved in providing supporting parents to contribute some helpful words of encouragement & guidance.

Devastating Loss
midwivesonline.com and healthvisitors.com is indebted to PAULINE and to the group of bereaved parents who contributed their stories for this very sensitive parent guide for all parents who have experienced bereavement during pregnancy, birth or following the birth of their little one.

The way forward through grief - part 1
Grief is appropriate when something precious has been lost. Don't expect to get over it quickly. Grief is painful and exhausting but you can come through it. Give yourself permission to grieve and allow yourself time and space to adapt.

The way forward through grief - part 2
Grief is appropriate when something precious has been lost. Don't expect to get over it quickly. Grief is painful and exhausting but you can come through it. Give yourself permission to grieve and allow yourself time and space to adapt.

The way forward through grief - part 3
Grief is appropriate when something precious has been lost. Don't expect to get over it quickly. Grief is painful and exhausting but you can come through it. Give yourself permission to grieve and allow yourself time and space to adapt.

Men, relationships and other children
Fathers are often expected to be rational, strong and in control in order to keep things stable during a family crisis and their own emotional needs are sometimes overlooked. Often men do not have the same opportunities to talk about their loss as women do or they may find it difficult to put their feelings into words.

Decision making following the news of a fetal abnormality while still pregnant
In few cases, the decision to terminate the pregnancy for abnormality is very clear cut. The woman and her partner may have discussed what they will do if there is a serious problem but often the decision is looked at again.

Grief after termination for abnormality
Very few parents are prepared for the intensity of grief which follows termination for abnormality. This experience can be just as distressing as the death of a live baby. The feelings of loss and emptiness are so intense that the parents may even feel mentally unstable as they struggle to cope with their loss.

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