Bereavement

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If you are reading this page because you have experienced the death of your baby or babies, we are so very sorry for your loss. We are here to support you through your miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

Here at Homerton Healthcare Trust, we are committed to providing the highest standard of care to all our families experiencing pregnancy loss and have pledged our commitment to the National Bereavement Care Pathway

This pathway is led by SANDS and ensures all families experiencing pregnancy or neonatal loss, receive the same high standard of individualised, safe, sensitive care.

SANDS have created an app which can be used by anyone whose baby has died. The app contains bereavement information, support and resources.

Sands Bereavement Support App | Sands - Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.

Our maternity bereavement service is led by our specialist bereavement midwifery team. We aim to provide holistic care, practical advice and ongoing emotional support to families whose baby dies during pregnancy from 16 weeks gestation, shortly after birth or on the Neonatal unit (NICU). 

 

Contact our bereavement midwifery team:

The bereavement team are available Monday – Friday 08:00 – 16:00.

The specialist bereavement midwife will provide you with immediate and long-term care and emotional support, based on your individual needs. They will do all they can to support you in the weeks and months following the loss of your baby, this can be alongside your community midwife.

The bereavement midwives will support and guide you through some of the difficult choices, including registering your baby’s death (if applicable), tests and investigations such as a post-mortem examination.

We can arrange follow-up care, give assistance with funeral arrangements, co-ordinate investigations, relating to your ongoing care and ensure your follow up appointment with relevant healthcare professionals is arranged. We work closely with the multi-faith chaplaincy team and with our bereavement counsellor to ensure a range of support is available.  

If you would like to speak to a chaplain from our multi-faith team, including our Imam and Rabbi, please ask a member of the nursing staff who will contact them for you, or alternatively call them on 0208 510 7773 or 7385. You can visit the Sanctuary near the front of the hospital.

 

Information when you need it:

We understand pregnancy loss can be overwhelming and you may not be ready to read information right now.

However, we also appreciate this is a very personal experience and you may have lots of questions which you are looking for answers to.

When you are ready you can access information by contacting the Bereavement midwifery team on 0208 510 7317.

 

During your stay:

  • Within the maternity department we have a dedicated room, where you can spend precious time with your baby.
  • Some families choose to spend a short time in hospital and some families decide to stay longer, the choice is yours.
  • We have a private, ensuite room located on central delivery suite where your care will be provided before, during and after the birth of your baby.
  • Following the birth of your baby you can stay in this room and spend time meeting your baby and making memories.
  • Our midwives are experienced in supporting families with the practicalities of this and can provide you with items which you can use to make precious memories.
  • We have a range of hats, clothing, nappies, blankets and Demeva cots available.

 

SANDS provide a bereavement support book and this is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Polish and Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu, Ukrainian & Welsh.

https://www.sands.org.uk/sands-bereavement-support-book

 

Please note, if your loss occurred before 16 full weeks of pregnancy, your care will be provided by the early pregnancy assessment unit (EPAU).

However, the information within these pages may still be of help to you.

 

 

SUPPORT RESOURCES

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Experiencing the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy is devastating. It does not matter how far along your pregnancy was.

The bereavement team are here to support you. There are many support organisations offering support to bereaved families through helplines, face to face meet ups and online groups.

 

Governments initiative for all families pre 24 weeks to be able to request a certificate https://www.gov.uk/request-baby-loss-certificate

 

ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices) is a national charity who provide families with independent information and emotional support through antenatal testing and its consequences. Further information and support can be found on the ARC website.

Miscarriage Association 

Provides support and information to anyone affected by pregnancy loss via a helpline, local support groups and online support. 

 

Aching Arms 

A baby loss charity ran by a group of bereaved mothers, they offer telephone and email support to bereaved families

 

FIVEXMORE

Five X More is dedicated to supporting mothers with its campaigning work and recommendations. It focuses on empowering Black women to make informed choices and advocate for themselves.

https://www.fivexmore.com/baby-loss

 

Our Sam

A charity who strive to preserve and protect the physical and mental health for anyone, personally affected by baby loss, as a result of miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.

The Our Sam website offers a facility where you can search support services near you, quickly and easily.

Support and advice can be found on their website, social media, pod casts and blogs

 

SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society – saving babies lives. Supporting bereaved families.) 

Sands provides bereavement support services both nationally through its Freephone helpline, mobile app, online community and resources, and locally through a UK-wide network of around 100 regional support groups. 

 

Saying Goodbye (The Mariposa Trust)

Provides advice, information and support to anyone who has suffered the loss of a baby, at any stage of pregnancy, at birth or in infancy.

 

The Lullaby Trust

Offering confidential bereavement support to anyone affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a baby or young child. A dedicated section on their website for bereavement, online forum, social media pages and a dedicated bereavement support line.

 

Tommy’s

Tommys provide a range of support including a baby loss support group on facebook as well as videos, information resources and helpline.

 

TAMBA Bereavement Support Group (part of Twins and Multiple Births Association – TAMBA)

Support all parents and carers of twins, triplets or more who have died whether it was during or after pregnancy. Peer-to-peer befriending service, social media support groups and resources

 

The Worst Girl Gang Ever

A support platform for miscarriage and baby loss, through their website, podcasts and social media.

 

CHANA
Provides emotional and practical support to Jewish families who are experiencing primary or secondary infertility through their website, social media and free helpline

www.chana.org.uk

Tel: 0208 201 5774 or 0208 8000018

Email: info@chana.org.uk

 

Children of Jannah  

Aims to meet the needs of grieving Muslim parents in the UK and beyond, providing practical, emotional and spiritual support. 

 

Muslim Bereavement Support Service 

A non-profit organisation serving the Muslim community by supporting bereaved mothers who have lost a child at any stage.  

 

The Jewish Bereavement Counselling Service

Offering support and bereavement counselling to adults and children within the Jewish Community. Including families affected by any pregnancy loss and early infancy death.

 

Useful books for children:

The following are suggested reading books which can be used to explain baby loss to children:

  • Where are you Lydie? By Emma Poore. A beautifully illustrated exploration of the death of a sibling for children of all ages. Supported by SANDS
  • We had to say Goodbye before we even met by Irene Teague. This is a true story about a family who have experienced the tragic and devastating loss of their baby during pregnancy -following the diagnosis of a fatal condition who will not survive long after birth. This book is told from the perspective of sibling Erin-RoseThere is a section for parents with tips for supporting children and themselves during this difficult time.
  • Ethans Butterflies by Christine Jonas Simpson. A spiritual story about loss and transformation for young children and parents after the loss of a baby.
  • The Invisible String by Patrice Karst. A story about the invisible string that connects us all.
  • Remembering Michael by Anita Harper. A story bout a family where a baby brother dies at birth.
  • These Precious Little People by Frankie Brunker. A story to support children affected by the death of a baby. Non- religious.
  • For Jewish families: Hashem Cries Too by Rachel Shifra Tal
  • For Muslim families: We will meet again in Jannah by Zamir Hussain