Pregnancy loss

We understand that if your baby dies, you will need specialist support.  

How we help

We have dedicated midwives to care for you. They will give you information and support you and your partner after a miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death.  

You do not have to face this alone.  

Early pregnancy loss (miscarriage up to 14 weeks)

Losing your baby at any stage can be devastating. You will be cared for by the early pregnancy team who will discuss your options with you. You may want to let nature take its course at home or have surgical help.

Helpful resources 

• Miscarriage
• Your baby, a leaflet for you if you have miscarried in the first 12 weeks
• Early miscarriage patient information leaflet (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)
• Recovering from surgical management of a miscarriage Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)  

Late miscarriage (up to 23 weeks)

If you have a late miscarriage, you will need to go through labour to give birth to your baby. This can be a very distressing time and you may be in shock. We understand this and will explain what your options are clearly so you can decide about your treatment.  

A midwife may want to take some tests such as a blood and urine sample, and possibly a swab from your vagina. These tests give us important information but may not tell us why your baby has died. You may choose to have a post-mortem; your midwife and doctor can give you more information about this.  

We usually recommended that your labour is induced. You will be cared for on the labour ward and have dedicated one to one care from a midwife throughout. You will have a choice of effective pain relief. Your midwife and doctor will talk you through this at every stage.

Making special memories 

Your midwife will suggest ways for you to make memories with your baby, and you may choose which, if any, are best for you. You may be unsure about whether you want to see and/or hold your baby when they are born. Your midwife will offer for you to see your baby – it is your choice if you want to. You may want to see a photograph of your baby before you decide, or you could ask your midwife to describe your baby to you, so that you know what to expect.  

Babies who have died before birth, before 24 weeks of pregnancy, do not need to be registered by law. Your midwife will be able to give you a certificate of birth as a keepsake if you would like one.

Helpful resources  

• Your baby, a leaflet for you if you have miscarried between 12 and 23 weeks
• Second Trimester Loss (Miscarriage Association)  

Stillbirth (from 24 weeks)

Finding out that your baby has died or is dying is a devastating shock. Your midwife and doctor will explain your options for giving birth so that you and your partner can decide about your care and how you’d like to remember your baby.  

A midwife may want to take some tests such as a blood and urine sample, and possibly a swab from your vagina. These tests give us important information but may not tell us why your baby has died. You may choose to have a post-mortem; your midwife and doctor can give you more information about this.  

You may want to wait for labour to happen naturally or be induced.  

During induction and labour, you will be cared for on the labour ward. You will have dedicated one to one care from a midwife throughout and have a choice of effective pain relief. Your midwife and doctor will talk you through this at every stage.

Spending time with your baby 

You may be unsure about whether you want to see and/or hold your baby when he or she is born. Your midwife will offer for you to see and hold your baby. If you’d prefer not to, they will make sure your baby is cared for sensitively and respectfully in a dedicated room. You may wish to see a photograph of your baby before you decide, or you could ask your midwife to describe your baby to you, so that you know what to expect.  

If you choose to spend time with your baby, we will help you with this and we will not rush you.  

Babies born after 24 weeks of pregnancy, and babies born alive at any gestation, must be registered with the local registry office. Your midwife will be able to help you understand what is needed and give you the contact details.  

The hospital can arrange a funeral for your baby if you wish. Sadly, we are not able to offer a service. For this reason, many parents choose to arrange their own private funeral. Your midwife can give you information about options and local funeral directors who will be able to help you.

Helpful resources 

• When your baby dies before birth (Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists)

Pregnancy after a loss

Pregnancy after a loss can be a joyful but sometimes very difficult journey. We are available to support you through this time and are happy to meet with you to discuss your birth plan and any worries you may have. We will do all that we can to make this time easier for you and your partner.  

Our pregnancy loss midwives

You are welcome to get in touch with us anytime, no matter how long ago you lost your baby.

Other helpful resources

• SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society): 020 7436 5881
• Tommy’s: [email protected], 0207 398 3400  
• The Miscarriage Association: 01924 200799  
• Ectopic Pregnancy Trust: 020 7733 2653  
• ARC (Antenatal Results and Choices): 020 7631 0285  
• Oscar’s Wishwww.oscarswishfoundation.co.uk Foundation
• When pregnancy goes wrong – NHS

Aftercare

After you go home, it is important to contact us on labour ward if you are worried about:  

• Feeling unwell
• Heavy bleeding
• Vaginal discharge that doesn’t seem normal
• Excessive pain, that is not helped by taking mild analgesia such as paracetamol
• Anything else that you feel you need urgent advice about.  

A member of the pregnancy loss team may get in touch with you, either by phone, email or letter. We will be available to you in whatever way you need.  

We will make a follow up appointment for you with your obstetric consultant, for around 10-12 weeks after your baby was born. This appointment will be to discuss any test results, including post-mortem if you had one. You may also want to discuss the possibility of a future pregnancy, and what extra care you may need.  

Only a moment you stayed, but what an imprint your footprints have left on our hearts

Dorothy Ferguson