When parents experience the loss of a child whether by miscarriage, stillbirth, early perinatal loss, or removal of a child from their custody, they begin the long process of bereavement. At first, the experience can produce a myriad of feelings: shock, numbness, denial, and disbelief. Other emotions begin to emerge such as guilt, anger, loneliness, despair, sadness and regret. The loss of a child affects siblings, family, healthcare providers and community.

A bereavement program offers support for parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, community, and healthcare staff, which often begins before death and continues well beyond discharge. Bereavement support includes counseling, spiritual care, supportive presence, silence and active listening, as well as validation and reassurance. This involves assisting with the difficult end-of-life decisions including: goal setting; pain and symptom management; disposition of the body; identifying support systems and community resources; legacy building and memory making.

Funding for the development of the Bereavement Care and Reporting Guidelines was provided by the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. Our sincerest appreciation for the support of this project that will assist professional staff in caring for bereaved families.

The West Virginia Perinatal Partnership would like to thank the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Maternal, Child and Family Health Director, Christina Mullins and Denise Smith, Director, Perinatal Programs.

For questions or to set up Nursing or Physician Grand Rounds staff education contact:

Alexandra French
BSN, RN, LCCE
[email protected]
304-644-0515
Cabell Huntington Hospital
Huntington, WV 25705
Mother-Baby Unit

Mary Beth Stewart
BSN, RN-C, IBCLC
Co-chair, Bereavement Team
Outreach Education Director,
WV Perinatal Partnership
[email protected]
(304) 915-2229 ext. 115

West Virginia Perinatal Partnership Bereavement Team

Jerica Wesley, PhD, LOC, ALPS, NCC, CCTP
Assistant Professor, Counseling
Marshall University Minority Health Institute
[email protected]

Summer Hepler RN, BSN
Bereavement Coordinator
Greenbrier Valley Medical Center
[email protected]

Leigh Belin BSN, RN
Clinical Supervisor, Labor & Delivery
United Hospital Center WVU Medicine
[email protected]

Elizabeth R. Cohen, LICSW
Perinatal Loss Coordinator
OBGYN Mental Health and Wellness
(304) 598-6868
[email protected]

Alexandra French, RN, LCCE
Co-chair Bereavement Team
Cabell Huntington Hospital
[email protected]

Christy Orndorff BSN, CHPPN, CPLC
Pediatric Supportive Care Nurse Coordinator
WVU Medicine Children’s
[email protected]

Bereavement Booklet

The following pages are meant to be a guide with suggestions and recommendations for supporting the families we serve across the state of WV, in hope of standardizing best practices when a loss has occurred.

Sincerely,
WV Perinatal Partnership Bereavement Team

Table of Contents

SECTION 1: FAMILY CARE – (Download Section 1)
Family Care Checklist
Postpartum Care
Breast Care
Sibling Care
Heirloom Photography
Post Mortem Care
Follow Up After Discharge
What To Say
What Not To Say

 

SECTION 2: GUIDELINES – (Download Section 2)
Definitions & Classifications
IUFD (Intrauterine Fetal Demise)
Live Birth (Dies After Birth)
ITOP (Induced Termination of Pregnancy)
ITOP, Autopsy
Home Burial, Cremation
Funeral Assistance

 

SECTION 3: SAMPLE POLICY – (Download Section 3)
Sample Policies

 

SECTION 4: FORMS – (Download Section 4)
Referenced Forms

 

SECTION 5: RESOURCES – (Download Section 5)
Bereavement Tangible Memory Items
Bereavement Books/Pamphlets
Bereavement Child Loss Support Groups
Bereavement Organizations For Professional Resources & Support
DHHR
Additional Contacts