Losing a baby is one of the most heartbreaking experiences any parent can go through. When a baby dies before birth, it is called a stillbirth or stillborn. This tragedy leaves families devastated and often wondering what will happen next. Hospitals have procedures in place for handling stillbirths with care and compassion.
What is a stillbirth?
A stillbirth refers to the death of a baby in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Prior to 20 weeks, it is considered a miscarriage. Stillbirths can occur during pregnancy or delivery. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 1 in 160 births end in stillbirth in the United States.
Some causes of stillbirth include:
- Problems with the placenta
- Birth defects
- Poor fetal growth
- Infections
- Chronic health conditions in the mother like diabetes or high blood pressure
- Problems with the umbilical cord
- Genetic abnormalities
In many cases, the exact cause remains unknown. The loss of a baby can be emotionally and psychologically devastating for parents and families.
What happens when a stillbirth occurs in the hospital?
When a stillbirth occurs during labor and delivery in the hospital, the medical team will immediately provide care and support to the grieving family. Here are some general steps hospitals take:
- Call in additional staff: Extra nurses, social workers, chaplains, etc. are brought in to assist the family.
- Confirm baby has passed: Doctors will examine the baby and officially confirm the stillbirth. Tests may be done to determine cause of death.
- Prepare the baby: Nurses clean and dress the baby, then place them in a small basket or crib.
- Involve parents: Parents are given the choice to see and hold the baby. They may take photos and hand/footprints for memories.
- Make arrangements: The hospital will discuss options like autopsy, burial, cremation, etc. Paperwork is completed for a stillbirth certificate.
- Provide ongoing support: Counseling, follow-up appointments, support groups and other resources are made available to grieving families.
The hospital staff aims to give families time to mourn while guiding them through next steps with empathy and care.
Can parents take the baby home after a stillbirth?
Yes, in most cases parents can take their stillborn baby home from the hospital. This gives them additional time to grieve and say goodbye. Hospitals will provide clothing and small caskets or infant carriers for transporting the baby.
Some key points about taking a stillborn baby home:
- Parents should discuss their wishes with hospital staff.
- The baby must be properly documented for transport if leaving the hospital.
- Families are advised on how to preserve the body until burial or cremation.
- There may be time limits (24-48 hours) depending on state laws.
- Hospitals can connect families with funeral directors for assistance.
Taking the baby home can help provide closure. However, the hospital staff will ensure parents understand how to care for and preserve the remains before transporting home.
What options do parents have after a stillbirth?
Families have a few options after suffering the devastation of stillbirth. The hospital will guide them through the possibilities, which typically include:
- Funeral services: Having a formal funeral and burial for the baby. This gives friends/family a chance to gather in honor.
- Cremation: Some parents choose to have the baby cremated and keep the ashes.
- Burial: The hospital can arrange for burial in a cemetery plot. Some offer a dedicated section for infant loss.
- No services: Parents may opt to sign over the baby’s remains to the hospital for proper handling.
Hospitals often work with grief counselors, religious leaders, funeral homes and support groups to assist families in saying goodbye. There is no right or wrong way to handle a stillbirth – parents must do what feels appropriate for their healing.
What types of support are available after a stillbirth?
The grief after a stillbirth can be prolonged and intense. Hospitals provide access to support services to help families cope:
- Grief counseling: Meeting with therapists or counselors specially trained in bereavement and infant loss.
- Support groups: Local or online groups that connect with other parents who’ve experienced stillbirth.
- Case management: Ongoing contact and support from hospital social workers or case managers.
- Literature: Books, brochures and websites on coping with loss.
- Hotlines: Access to 24/7 crisis hotlines for grief and depression support.
- Follow-up care: Additional appointments to monitor parents’ physical and mental health.
Hospitals aim to connect families with resources to navigate their journey of grief. Support is tailored to each family’s specific needs during the devastating time.
Do hospitals offer memory-making for families after a stillbirth?
Yes, many hospitals have protocols in place to create memories for grieving families after a stillbirth. This often includes:
- Professional photographs: Sensitive photographers who take pictures of the baby and family.
- Hand/foot molds: Making a plaster mold of the baby’s hands and feet for families to keep.
- Fingerprints: Ink prints of the baby’s fingers and toes.
- Locks of hair: Cutting a lock of the baby’s hair and presenting it in a special box or ornament.
- Bereavement kits: Package including clay impressions, blankets, etc. for families.
These tangible memories and keepsakes aim to honor the baby’s precious, albeit brief, life. Hospitals want to ensure families have mementos during the grieving process.
Conclusion
Stillbirth is a heartbreaking outcome for eager expectant parents. Hospitals follow specific procedures to provide sensitive care and support to families enduring this tragedy. Parents have options to take the baby home, plan funeral services, and create memories. An extensive network of bereavement resources helps families navigate profound grief. While the loss leaves an irreplaceable hole, hospitals strive to guide families through the process with compassion.