Bereavement

The Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group will held online on the second Tuesday of every month 6pm -7.30pm.

Upcoming 2023 dates:

September 12th, October 10th, December 12th 

Places are limited and need to be booked in advance.

To book a place email Brenda on bereavement@nmh.ie

Who can attend?

We welcome anyone who has experienced loss through ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy or first trimester miscarriage .This group is open to women and their partners who have attended The National Maternity Hospital and is facilitated by a Specialist Midwife in Bereavement and Loss.

What is the purpose of the Support Group?

The isolation associated with early pregnancy loss can be overwhelming. The National Maternity Hospital’s Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group affords women and their partners a safe and confidential space to normalise their feelings and have their grief and loss validated. For some, there is a desperate need to talk to others who have experienced an early loss. For others, comfort is gained from listening. The group provides an opportunity to meet others who have experienced a similar type of loss and to share thoughts and feelings in a safe, confidential and supportive environment.

How soon after my loss should I attend the support group?

There is no right or wrong time to attend The National Maternity Hospital Early Pregnancy Loss Support Group. Some of you may have experienced a loss recently, while others may have experienced a loss some time ago. We understand that it can take a lot of courage to attend a support group. You are welcome to bring a supportive friend or family member.  

This service is held annually for the parents & families of babies who have died

The National Maternity Hospital's Annual Remembrance Service will take place on Sunday the 8th of October 2023 at 3pm. The service will take place in St Andrew's Church on Westland Row

Anyone affected by the loss of a baby or babies is welcome to attend and we hope you will be able to join us on this special day.

The Book of Remembrance

 ..…every life that ever forms or ever comes to be touches the world in some small way for all eternity.....

Parents are invited to have their babies’ names entered in this book which is on view daily in the Hospital Oratory. Forms can be downloaded here and returned to the chaplain by email - chaplainber@nmh.ie

The Bereavement Midwives provide the following support services

For further information click here

• Organise follow up care at the appropriate clinic where you will be seen by a senior Doctor/Consultant and the Clinical Midwife Specialist.
• Support for parents following any form of pregnancy loss or the death of a baby.
• Advise and support regarding children's grief.
• Facilitate the planning of the medical investigations and clinic appointments for women experiencing three consecutive miscarriages.
• Practical & emotional support for families during pregnancy when a life limiting condition has been diagnosed.
• Support for families during pregnancy after loss
• Phone support
• Early pregnancy loss support group

To contact the Bereavement midwives phone 01-6373225 or email bereavement@nmh.ie

The National Maternity Hospital has introduced the bereavement symbol which was developed by the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Programme. The symbol is inspired by ancient Irish history and is not associated with any one religious or denomination.
The sign will be placed outside the room as the aim is to make all staff aware that sensitivity is required, to create a quiet atmosphere and to minimise any unnecessary disturbance for a family who have experienced a bereavement.

‘Why did this happen?’ and ‘Will this happen again?’ Are two questions every bereaved parent asks following a pregnancy loss.

The National Maternity Hospital recognises that follow up care is integral to the provision of compassionate bereavement care. The hospital has systems in place to ensure that follow up consultations with an obstetrician, paediatrician/ neonatologist and  bereavement midwife specialist will be provided in a suitable space, separate to mothers and babies which is conducive to discussion and counselling.

There are three specialised consultant led bereavement clinics providing follow up care for couples who have experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage and stillbirth. Follow up with a consultant neonatologist is arranged on an individual basis for parents whose baby has died in the neonatal period. These clinics provide an opportunity for couples to be counselled, in a timely manner, in relation to results of medical investigations carried out following the pregnancy loss. The provision of medical certificates in relation to stillbirth and neonatal death are completed, where relevant and given to parents at this time so that they can register their baby’s birth/ death.

The bereavement clinics are supported by two consultant pathologists who provide valuable information through post mortem and placental examination.  Further expertise is provided by a Consultant Geneticist who meets with bereaved parents in cases where a genetic assessment is required.

As well as the provision of medical results, the clinics provide an opportunity to ascertain how parents are coping with their grief and to offer ongoing support to families based on individual need.

Support groups

http://www.feileacain.ie/

http://www.firstlight.ie

https://alittlelifetime.ie/

https://onedaymore.ie/

http://miscarraige.ie

https://anamcara.ie/

https://lmcsupport.ie 

Information regarding children and grief

http://www.childhoodbereavement.ie/