Perinatal loss

Pregnancy is usually a time of looking forward to the arrival of a baby, which makes the trauma all the greater when a baby’s life is cut short before they are born. In such cases, we will be by your side, ready to offer sensitive support with all aspects of perinatal loss. Our priority during these moments of grief, for which one can never be fully prepared, will be to provide you with a safe space and time to get through the initial shock. We will continue to offer considerate support throughout the birth, respecting and supporting your own ideas about the next stages of the grieving process.

Although we cannot always explain the cause of a baby’s death before birth, we will do our best to answer as many of your questions as possible. We strive to conduct the birth in a calm environment and as gently as possible. We will endeavour to arrange for the farewell to take place directly at the maternity ward in a manner of your choosing. We know that providing mementos, for example in the form of a baby’s memory box, has already helped many families in the process of saying goodbye. 

Communicating and coping with difficult situations are among the hardest moments for both patients and healthcare professionals. Our department has a trained palliative care team. In addition to providing guidance and psychological support, the team members – doctors, nurses and social workers – will help you resolve practical issues regarding the farewell and ensure you are not left to navigate the necessary administrative steps on your own. We have a long-standing partnership with an external community psychologist, to whom we can refer you if you wish. 

For some, the period of saying goodbye is hardest some time after the hospital stay; if you are experiencing feelings you do not want to face alone, we would be happy if you contacted us. We can help through direct mediation, discuss with you the form of support you will need, or put you in touch with organisations that help parents cope with perinatal loss.