One to One Bereavement Support Service
The loss of a pregnancy, or death of a baby during pregnancy or around the time of birth can be devastating for expectant and newly bereaved parents. Our Bereavement Team understand this can be a deeply challenging and isolating experience which is often unacknowledged and misunderstood by family and friends.
You may need a supportive space to have your feelings heard and your grief normalised and validated. Whether you are seeking guidance, coping strategies, or simply someone to listen to, our dedicated One to One Bereavement Support Service is here to help and support you.
Please contact our Bereavement Team to make an appointment by emailing bereavement@nmh.ie
FAQs
What does our One to One Bereavement Support Service offer?
Our One to One Bereavement Support Service offers either in person or virtual appointments with Brenda our Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement and Loss.
Not everyone has the support they need following a pregnancy loss, or it may be that those around you don’t grasp the significance of what you have experienced. Bereavement support can be helpful to deal with the unexpected nature of pregnancy loss. It provides an opportunity to talk about what happened in a safe space to try and make sense of what you experienced.
Who can access the service?
Those who have experienced loss through miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death and have attended The National Maternity Hospital in the last 12 months.
Where do appointments take place?
In person appointments take place in the counselling room on the ground floor of The National Maternity Hospital. This is a quiet space, away from the hustle and bustle of hospital activity.
Virtual appointments take place via Webex link provided by the Bereavement Team.
What happens at the appointment?
You will meet Brenda, our Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement and Loss who will support and guide you in coping with your grief and loss.
How long will the appointment take?
Please allow 50 minutes for your appointment.
How many appointments will I have?
This will depend on your individual needs. One appointment may be all that you wish for to have your grief normalised and validated. For further appointments this can be discussed at your first appointment. The service can provide up to six appointments. If further support is needed our Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement will be able to direct you to appropriate community based services.
How do I access the service?
Email bereavement@nmh.ie with your name, date of birth or hospital number.
Can my partner attend with me?
If your partner would like to avail of bereavement support he/she is welcome to attend with you.
Is there a charge for the service?
There is no charge for this service.
‘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.
Follow up consultations with obstetricians, paediatricians/neonatologists and/or Bereavement Midwife Specialists are provided in an appropriate space for bereaved parents.
There are four specialised consultant led bereavement clinics providing follow up care for parents who have experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death; The Recurrent Miscarriage Clinic, The TLC Clinic, The Stillbirth Clinic and The Reproductive Genetics Clinic.
An appointment 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 the results of medical investigations. 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 offer an opportunity to discuss with parents how they are coping with their grief and to offer ongoing support to families based on their individual needs.