Pregnancy loss and bereavement
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We have a caring team of midwives, nurses, doctors, healthcare support workers and spiritual care team, with knowledge of bereavement care in every setting.
They are there to support you and guide you through what is often an unexpected journey.
Loss of a baby
The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or soon after birth can be an overwhelming time. You may feel many mixed emotions, including sadness, shock, anger, guilt or disbelief. This range of emotions is normal. There is no right or wrong way to feel, or to grieve, and this can look different for everyone.
It is important to make time and space for one another, to communicate openly and remember your baby in whichever way feels right for you as a family. There is support available whether you are still in hospital, staying with family or you are back at home.
Our team of midwives will offer all women and their family information and choices for marking the loss of your baby and making memories of them. This can include offering scan photos, taking photographs of your baby, providing a certificate that acknowledges your baby, hand and footprints and many other gentle reminders as keep sakes.
Spiritual care
Our spiritual care team offer a range of support, including bereavement and pastoral care to all families who have lost a baby, as well as guidance and support with ongoing arrangements for your baby.
Child death review team
Every death of a child who normally lives in the Board area will be reviewed by NHS Highland, as part of a national programme. In the Highland HSCP area this team is based within the Public Health Department at Larch House.
One of the key aims is to improve the experiences and engagement with families and carers throughout the review process.
Additional support
In the Highland area we work very closely with Held In Our Hearts, a Scotland-based charity who provide support and free counselling for every family who wishes it, and beautiful memory bags. The support can be face to face, over the phone or by video call, or in your own home. We can make a referral for you, or you can self-refer through their website.
Aching Arms offer online and printed resources, including support for dads. We offer Aching Arms teddy bears to all families who have experienced a pregnancy loss over 16 weeks.
There are many other supportive services that can offer you help at this challenging time:
- Anam Cara Fasgadh - a local charity in the Highlands region, they arrange the annual butterfly releases in Inverness and facilitate the leaf engravings for the Trees of Tranquillity in Oban and Inverness.
- Ectopic Pregnancy Trust - provides support and information for people who have had, or been affected by, an ectopic pregnancy.
- Miscarriage Association - provides support and information to anyone affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy and offers a helpline, online support, live chat and support groups.
- Sands - a stillbirth and neonatal loss charity providing support and information for anyone affected by the death of a baby. Through an accredited national helpline, a range of trained peer support services can talk with you. There are a range of online resources including a bereavement support app and a moderated online forum.
- Scottish Care and Information on Miscarriage - provides support and information for early and late loss.
- SiMBA - support and memory boxes for anyone who has gone through the loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy.
- Tommy's - information and support following miscarriage.
- Twins Trust Bereavement Support Group - offers support for families who have lost one or more children from a multiple birth during pregnancy, birth or at any time afterwards.