Bereavement Support

Experiencing early pregnancy loss and/or the death of a baby at any gestational age is a devastating and difficult time for parents and their families. Here at The Coombe, in line with the National Bereavement Standards for Ireland’s Maternity Units we have developed a Bereavement specialist team who work alongside the larger team within the hospital to support parents.

There are key areas within the hospital that are most impacted by loss and we have developed these areas to ensure dignity privacy and space in end of life care. There are ongoing planned infrastructural developments scheduled to enhance bereavement suites to further facilitate bereavement care. As a maternity hospital in 2011 we endorsed the Hospice Friendly Hospitals programme and utilise the Celtic end of life symbol on door signs, medical files and direct admission cards when indicated.

The End of Life symbol is inspired by ancient Irish history and is not associated with any one religion or denomination. The 3 stranded white spiral represents the interconnected cycle of life - birth, life and death. The white outer circle represents continuity, infinity and completion. Purple was chosen as the background colour as it is associated with nobility, solemnity and spirituality.

The symbol is used to alert staff when an end of life care issue is being discussed with, or experienced by a family to ensure increased privacy and dignity for those facing difficult outcomes.

If you have experienced the loss of your baby we, the entire hospital staff wish to offer you and your family our deepest condolences. Policies and bereavement care procedures are in place to support you and your family at this time. and outline below how to access members of our Bereavement Specialist Team (BST) for support.

Our Bereavement Team

Bereavement care is attended to by the larger team throughout the hospital. While the medical and nursing/ midwifery staff are your most immediate source of information, support and care, we also have a bereavement team which includes the following:

Chaplaincy and pastoral support: The chaplains are available to you and your family at the time of loss. Their care includes; spiritual and emotional care as well as practical support & information in arranging the removal and burial/ cremation of your baby. They also provide prayer services, with ministers of other Faith traditions available upon request.

Medical social worker support: Medical social workers are available to provide support, counselling and information to parents and their families. They will try to meet with you while you are in hospital or else they will contact you at home. The MSW can link you with community based service both statutory and voluntary.

Clinical midwife specialist bereavement: The Bereavement Midwife provides bereavement counselling support when anticipating, or following the death of your baby. The Bereavement Midwife is available to you for support in the weeks, months and years following your baby’s death. She is available to offer you age appropriate advice relaying the loss to siblings and will guide you in accessing different levels of bereavement support both in the hospital as well as in the community and voluntary services. She is also trained to assess and support your needs in terms of accessing additional counselling when indicated. She works collaboratively with the Medical Consultants and will liaise with you in relation to your follow up care, medical results and response to loss. The bereavement Midwife is also in attendance for your support at the LEAF (Miscarriage Clinic).