Loss in a Mulitple Pregnancy

Book Title: The Midwife and the Bereaved Family

Chapter 4: Loss in a Multiple Pregnancy 

Overview

• Describes how midwives can relay bad new to parents and support them whilst in hospital
• Explains the birth process and what options are available
• Case studies describing the meeting of both ‘twins’ and dealing with the loss of one and survival of the other
• The importance of creating memories is explained
• A list of things a midwife should never say to a parent who has lost a twin
• The difference forms of support a midwife can offer are provided

Description

This chapter explains the circumstances of a/many losses in a multiple pregnancy and the support midwives can offer to the grieving parents. It guides midwives on how to help the parents handle the loss of one child, yet the acceptance and celebration of the surviving child. Also provided are guidelines on how to break the bad news, what not to say to grieving parents and how to help them ‘say goodbye’.

Topics

• Definition
• Breaking Bad News
• Support While In Hospital After Bad News Is Broken
• Living With The Loss
• The Birth
• Meeting The Babies
• The Living And The Dead
• Creating Memories
• Breastfeeding The Surviving Twin
• A Special Situation
• Discharge Preparation
• Longer-Term Issues
• Support
• Saying Goodbye
• References
• Interesting Research Articles
• Recommended Reading

Speaker / Author

Jane Warland

RM RN Dip App Sc (nurs)

Jane is a midwife and bereaved parent. Jane’s first pregnancy ended in miscarriage, her fifth in the stillbirth of her baby, Emma. Since Emma’s death Jane and her husband Michael have had two books published: Our Baby Died, an illustrated children’s book published in 1994, and Pregnancy After Loss, a survival guide for couples experiencing a subsequent pregnancy after the death of a baby, published in 1996. Jane has a particular interest in educating her colleagues about the needs of bereaved parents. Since Emma’s death she has been involved in educating both student midwives and practising midwives, through presenting papers and workshops at many different professional conferences and seminars, both nationally and internationally.

Professional Reviews: