When a Baby Dies: A Standard of Care

Abstract

When a baby dies, parents' hopes and dreams for that child die. Instead of planning a nursery, they must think about burial or cremation. Bereaved parents may never have experienced a death in their family. They may be unaware of what options are available and what decisions need to be made. One hospital has been addressing the needs of parents whose babies die during pregnancy or shortly after birth since the early 1980s. Using the RTS program as a model, this article provides a historical overview of the program, defines the theoretical framework underlying perinatal bereavement care, and describes practical ways to support patients and families experiencing pregnancy or perinatal loss. Care providers such as hospital personnel, clergy, and/or funeral directors are responsible for informing bereaved parents and guiding them through this unfamiliar territory. Case studies and practical examples of creating meaningful memories as part of healthy mourning are included.