A Guiding Hand for Families in NICU and Special Care Nurseries - Digital - Book - Page 88
Bereavement
Making arrangements
Most units will allow you to stay with your baby for as long as you like. Many
hospitals also have multi-faith prayer rooms and chaplains to offer their
support if, or when, you need it. Sometimes, a post-mortem examination
(autopsy) may be required by law or requested by your care team to help
understand what happened to your baby or to help with the treatment of
other babies in the future. Your baby’s doctor will explain everything if this
happens. In this case, you will not be able to take your baby’s body away
from the hospital until this is completed.
Once the death certificate has been issued, you are able to take your baby
home or arrange for your baby to go to a funeral home. The nurses, social
worker or the hospital’s bereavement counsellor
can give you any guidance you need or can
put you in touch with members of any local
faith community, should you need assistance in
It is important
preparing a funeral.
to say goodbye
however it suits you
and your family. This
Mourning for your baby
is something only
Mourning for your baby is a long process which
you can decide.
does not stop at their funeral.
Some neonatal units have a
bereavement counsellor who will
follow up with you, especially in
the early days and on important
anniversaries like the date of
your baby’s birth and death.
This is a deeply personal
experience and you will find
your own way to deal with what
has happened. You should be
offered a follow-up appointment
with your baby’s doctor as you
may have questions you didn’t
think to ask at the time. At
this very difficult time, it may
be helpful to talk to your GP, a
bereavement counsellor or other
professional supports.
Australian Olympic gold medallist, Brooke Hanson’s son,
Jack, passed away at nine month’s after being born
premature.
Life’s Little Treasures Foundation | Supporting Families of Premature & Sick Babies
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