Support for Bereaved Families

We are very sorry for your loss. NHS Grampian’s Midwives, Nurses, Doctors and Healthcare Support Workers, in all areas where a pregnancy loss can occur, are there to support you.

Coping with grief 

The loss of a baby at any stage of pregnancy or soon after birth can be an overwhelming time, with many mixed emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt or disbelief.  These are all normal feelings that you may go through after the loss of a baby.  It sometimes can help to know that although this is painful, this is part of a process of grief that we all go through and everyone goes through these stages of grief differently, there is no right or wrong way to grieve, and it is important to remember to take time, to talk and remember your baby. 

Marking your loss and making memories 

The staff will aim to offer all women and their partner information about possible options for marking their loss or creating memories, while respecting that not everyone will want this. These may include, for example; a scan photo, a memory box, photographs, certificate and hand and footprints. 

Support 

There is support available while you are still in hospital or once you are home and can be carried out via a telephone call or face to face.

Bereavement Support Midwife 

There is also a Bereavement Support Midwife for NHS Grampian. She is an experienced midwife with knowledge around bereavement care who is able to support women and their families with pregnancy loss at any gestation. She works as part of a multidisciplinary team and acts as resource for other staff members. She can be contacted via the hospital or via your community midwife.  

Support groups 

Below is also a list of resources for organisations who may be able to help you during this difficult time.

• Miscarriage Association: Offers support and information for individuals affected by pregnancy loss.
• Miscarriage Information Support Service (MISS) : Miss is an early pregnancy loss charity which provides support for women and men who have experienced miscarriage and support for their next pregnancy. Support includes virtual and in person groups and 1:1’s, phone service with our trained coordinators. We also work with maternity hospitals to provide boxes of support including a memory box, support pack, overnight bag and pregnancy after loss bag. For anymore information visit www.miss-support.org.uk
• SANDS Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity: Provides support and information for anyone affected by the death of a baby, before or after birth. There is also online community, Facebook groups and local support groups.
• Ectopic Pregnancy Trust: Provides support and information for people who have had or been affected by an ectopic pregnancy.
• Lullaby Trust: Offers support and advice for parents whose baby dies suddenly
• Scottish Cot Death Trust
• BLISS: Offers support for families of premature or sick babies, including bereaved families.
• Child Bereavement UK: Provides support for families when a baby or child has died or is dying and offers support for children faced with bereavement.
• National Bereavement Care Pathways
• SANDS Bereavement Support App- Search on Apple of Android.
• Archie Foundation Child Bereavement Service
• Archie Foundation Maternity and Neonatal Services

Local SANDS Support Groups: At SANDS (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society) there are people who understand what it’s like to have suffered the loss of a baby. Many have been through this experience and Sands supports anyone who has been affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth, including parents, family members and the health professionals who support them. Our group is run by bereaved parents who are volunteers and the support we offer in the Grampian area is: