I'll try not to write a book here, but it's kind of a long story.
Part of my job is perinatal bereavement counseling. On our floor, we see IUFD's, stillborn, and neonatal deaths usually > 20 weeks. Once in awhile, we admit lesser gestations. Our bereavement program is fantastic! We provide great support, take pics, provide momentos, and keep in touch, sending cards, f/u phone calls, etc...
In Ohio, gestations > 20 weeks have to be buried or cremated, but
That being said...Those who have early AB's, vag bleeding in ER or abort at home receive absolutely no bereavement services at all. I understand that some women may not see the fetus as a baby, and aren't all that upset, but some have that baby in college after the pregnancy test is positive. This can be gut wrenching and life changing for many of these women.
In our ER now (I'm not picking on them at all, it's just how they've been trained to care for these people), if a fetal demise is delivered, the baby is placed in a specimen container, the woman is kept until her bleeding has slowed, and adios. The woman then goes home, where her loss is many times never validated. If she works, she'll probably get a day or two off, and then, back to "normal".
I want to do something!!!! I feel like I need to help these women. What I want to do is provide brief inservices to ER, Surgical, and Dr. office staff, develop a little packet (something the mother can take home), with a poem, a letter from bereavement making ourselves available, and a momento...something they can take home in their otherwise empty arms (a charm or small blanket, something). I also want ER to know that our services are available to them if they need us.
I just don't know how to go about this, what anyone else does, and how to get started. I know it's a big endeavor, but to me, it's sooooo worth it!
