FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS
HOW TO PROVIDE COMPASSIONATE CARE TO YOUR PATIENTS AFTER A PERINATAL LOSS​
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It is not your responsibility to "fix" this.
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However it IS your responsibility to make sure parents have the most positive hospital experience they can have in a traumatic situation like this.
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Encourage parents to spend time with their babies. These memories last a lifetime.
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If they have named their baby, call the baby by name. If they have not considered doing so, gently encourage them to.
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It's ok and even helpful if you show emotion. This will validate their loss and show them it has impacted others.
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I am sorry we are meeting like this
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There is nothing you did or didn't do that caused this
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I am sorry for all you are going through
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Nothing could have prepared you for this moment
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I know how loved and wanted this baby was
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What's meant to be will be
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You have an angel now
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Imagine how much harder this would be if you knew them?
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You will be a mom/dad one day
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Everything gets better with time
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You will have other babies
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I had a "miscarriage, loss, etc"
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Avoid sharing about yourself unless specifically asked by the parents