For Care Providers
A health care provider plays a critical role and a front row seat to miscarriage and infant loss. The loss of a child is unexpected and something that no parent is prepared for when it happens. Health care providers play an instrumental role in helping parents by providing great care and being sensitive to event.
Reminders for Healthcare Providers:
An infant or baby is a part of a family no matter their age.
Be real and authentic with parents.
Be cognitive of terminology used and your demeanor while caring for parents experiencing a loss.
Remind parents that being emotional and having strong feelings while grieving is normal.
Help the parents at each future appointment. Follow-up appointments and/or visiting the same place that the loss occurred will bring up negative memories from the loss. Reliving it will be very difficult for the parents.
Take care of yourself. No matter how experienced, the loss of a child will be emotional for a health care provider. It will be important to speak with someone regarding your own grieving of the loss.