The death of a baby during pregnancy, birth or the newborn period is a profound loss. There is no right or wrong way to grieve and everyone's experience is different.
Even if you are not taking your baby home, your body will still go through many of the physical changes that occur after birth. You may experience bleeding, discomfort, changes to your breasts and milk production, hormonal changes and emotional ups and downs as your body recovers.
Before you leave hospital, your healthcare team will discuss:
- physical recovery after birth, including bleeding, pain management and wound care, if needed
- breast and lactation care, including options for suppressing, expressing or donating breast milk where available
- emotional wellbeing and grief support
- follow-up appointments and who to contact if you have concerns
- information about your baby's death, including any investigations or tests that may be offered
- practical matters such as birth and death registration, funeral arrangements and available support services
- accessing psychological, bereavement, cultural, spiritual or community support that is important to you and your family.
Grief can affect physical health, emotional wellbeing, relationships, sleep, appetite and day-to-day functioning. Support is available and you do not need to manage this alone.
If you have concerns about your physical recovery, emotional wellbeing or are finding it difficult to cope, contact your healthcare provider, GP, midwife or bereavement support service.
Key bereavement support organisations
Red Nose Grief and Loss
Provides specialist support after miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, SUDI and the death of a child, including counselling, peer support, support groups and a 24/7 support line.
Bears of Hope Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support
Provides counselling, support groups, resources and support for pregnancy after loss and parenting after loss. Services are available to family’s experiencing miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death and infant loss.
Pink Elephants Support Network
Offers information and peer support specifically for people affected by miscarriage and early pregnancy loss.
Still Aware
Focuses on stillbirth awareness, prevention and support, and provides information and resources for bereaved families.
COPE
Australia’s peak body in perinatal mental health body in perinatal mental health. Information and support for pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.