Caring for Families Experiencing Perinatal Loss

Please note, the following are self-study days: 

• Course commencing 29th May: 14th August, 16th October.
• Course commencing 29th January: 7th May, 18th June.

On completion of this course, you will be able to demonstrate the skills and confidence to promote and inform best midwifery practice, and to advocate and provide support for families when making informed decisions from diagnosis through to follow-up postnatally.

The content includes (but not limited to):

• Importance of still providing routine AN/intrapartum/PN care.
• Knowledge of terminology and legal definitions.
• Knowledge of steps to diagnose IUD.
• Knowledge of blood tests performed and reasons why.
• Knowledge of drugs used (including side effects) for IOL.
• Knowledge of pain relief options including PCA and epidural.
• Knowledge of impact of environment where families are cared for and recommendations/local provisions for this.
• Discussion and knowledge of the differences between delivering a baby who has died at differing gestations up to term and the effect of lack of muscle tone.
• Experience/knowledge of what a baby looks like at differing gestations including maceration: with parental consent.
• Know how to handle baby with respect and safely.

Emotional and spiritual support including but not limited to:

• Understand the need for you to be patient, not give false assurances and allow parents time to spend with their baby; be parent-led.
• Understand that grief is individual and not governed by gestation.
• Ensure cultural and religious beliefs are acknowledged and incorporated into plan of care.

Communication including but not limited to:

• How to break bad news
• Knowledge of grief reactions and individual nature of grief surrounding loss of a baby at any gestation.
• How to approach discussions around making memories and wishes of parents around delivery; meeting baby

Paperwork including but not limited to:

• Become familiar with the care pathway used locally and the National Bereavement Care Pathway led by SANDS. Includes understanding the importance and significance of each point (some following competencies will be covered within this but are detailed specifically at present).
• Essential to know how to refer families to the Bereavement Specialist Midwife.
• Understand essential certification and documentation.