How does your facility deal with fetal demise?

hikernurse · Jun 22, 2009

We do the same here here. We also have a photographer affiliated with NILMDTS, we are overseas so this is amazing! Unfortunately they will not come to photograph a demise that is less than 25 weeks. We did have a photographer come for a 22 week demise informed us of their policy, but she took photos anyway. :) We also have plaster mixes to make casts of the baby's feet, when the condition permits. I have seen a set of the feet a co-worker made for the 22 week demise, and they were a perfect set of feet!
There is also a perinatal loss support group that meets monthly at one of the base chapels.

Parents love the feet. It's a real tangible reminder their baby actually existed. We usually take a couple of sets in case one doesn't turn out. I wish we had a way to use a permanent material like bronze instead of plaster. My friend lost a thirty weeker a few years ago and she said if she were only allowed to keep one of her possessions, it would be the plaster casts of her baby feet and hands.

dana68 · Oct 17, 2009

We have a share program that deals with everything from sab's to 40 week demises. We have 2 Share co-ordinators. If u want any info, let me know and I can send it your way!!

Hi, I am an L&D Nurse and I have recently been placed in charge of our fetal demise program...which currently is not very organized. Does your facility have any policies / procedures / demise forms etc...that they would be willing to share just so I have something to go by. Our forms what few there are, are so outdated and incomplete in ways. I would appreciate any assistance I can get.

Thanks

dana68 · Oct 21, 2009

...I would really appreciate the forms and policies...thanks

dana68 · Oct 21, 2009

sorry...put attention Dana Ware on the fax.

thanks

ducknurse · Oct 22, 2009

What is the area code?

ky_grl82 · Nov 9, 2009

I am a NILMDTS photographer and area coordinator for the organization in Kentucky and also in school to be a RN. The reason for the policy of "no service for less than 25 week gestational babies" is to control the sheer amount of calls photographers get. It takes a lot from the photographers to do these sessions. The session is not so bad but the editing can be quite emotionally draining, esp. if there is skin tears and bruising. We love to serve these families but don't want the photographers to get burned out.

That being said I have done a session of a 22 weeker. The baby was in good condition and that makes a big difference. The program also offers editing services only for the hospital for photos nurses take.

HeartsOpenWide, RN · Nov 9, 2009

We try and keep them in a room as far from post-partum mom's as possible (to avoid the sound of crying babies). A comfort cart with food, drinks, and music is brought for the family. We ask them if they want the baby on their chest when it is delivered. After the initial delivery and baby brought to chest we wrap the baby and give the parents as much time as they want. They get a sentimental box for foot prints, a lock of hair, picture, ect. There is a special decorated box the baby can be placed in that absorbs any fluids and is then placed in a bassinet.

jeanvallierelcsw · Nov 16, 2009

Can you please send me an outline or whatever form your nursing protocols may be in? We need to get more sensitive care going for parents with many of our hospitals, would love to see it.

J.Valliere, MH Consultant, Child Death Review, MCH Office of Public Health, Louisiana. Thanks and God bless.

jeanvallierelcsw · Nov 17, 2009

Yes Please ducknurse please fax to.... Much appreciated

Shenanigans, RN · Nov 25, 2009

In my country, across all major public hospitals, and probably most private ones, we have a lot of focus on cultural sensitivity and allowing individuals to express their faith/culture as they see fit.

Parents are offered the remains of the foetus, and its not just with natural demise, its a requirement that a mother is offered the remains if she is having a TOP.

We have chaplains of most faiths, can get a spiritual leader of an uncommon faith, we also have Maori cultural advisors who assist patients who identify with this ethnicity. There's also the offer of counselling of various degrees, singular or group et cetera.

jeanvallierelcsw · Nov 30, 2009

Thanks. It's great that your system is so comprehensive.

littlesarah · May 26, 2010

At the hospital where I work, I feel we have great staff who are very compassionate about helping families that have experienced a fetal demise at any gestation. We have multiple resources of people to provide support and information, such as specially trained RN's, case managers, social workers, chaplains if requested by the family. We provide coffee and 'treats' for the family and their support people. After the baby is born the family can choose to hold baby, take as many photos, etc... Then, when they are ready, we give the baby a bath, take photos in an outfit which the family get along with a blanket. They are also given a memory box with a small teddy bear, baby size ring and scrapbook. We make footprints, handprints and make plaster molds to send home with them if possible depending on gestation, which usually includes engraving of their names/bday/etc on the molds. We also utilize a professional service called, "Now I lay me down to sleep". Professional photograhers come to the hospital and take some amazing photos that the family can choose from. The sessions are free! There is also a yearly memorial service where all of the families who have experienced a loss and then any of the medical staff who took care of them can come. This doesn't include everything but some of the highlights.