Post-mortem examination

A post-mortem examination may be helpful in identifying why your baby has died. Although a post-mortem does not always find a definite cause it may eliminate specific reasons/conditions that did not cause it. They are helpful with antenatal diagnosis such as abnormalities in addition to planning future pregnancies. You will be given a Sands booklet ‘Deciding on Post-mortem examination information for parents’. This booklet contains a lot of helpful information and will assist you when making your decision. There is also information on the SANDS website / app.

Some parents are certain from the beginning that they would like a post-mortem, others may not be sure. It is your decision and your consent is required for a post-mortem, unless a Coroner is involved in your case. A post mortem trained person will discuss your wishes and the form with you before you give consent.

A copy of the signed paperwork will be given to you for your records. Once you have made the decision for the examination you will be given 48 hours in which you can change your mind. There may be specific questions you would like to ask such as,

When it might be carried out?

• Usually this is done within a couple of weeks but this can vary if over holiday periods.

Where will the post-mortem be undertaken?

• The examination is undertaken at Great Ormond Street Hospital, (GOSH), London. The examination will be carried out with care and in a sensitive manner and in most cases you will be able to see and hold your baby again before your planned funeral.

If you do not want a post-mortem then you could consider a skin sample from baby depending on how old the baby is. This sample is sent to Guys and St Thomas’ in London for testing. If you would like information regarding this test please speak to the doctor / Maternity Bereavement Team / Midwife caring for you when you are in hospital and they can explain further.

How long will I wait for the results and how will I receive them?

• You can wait up to 12 weeks for the results. The results will be shared when you have your Debrief appointment with the Consultant at the hospital. Once all results are available you will receive a letter informing you of a date and time for this appointment. This will enable you to ask any questions and make any plans for future pregnancies.

• The bereavement midwife or a senior midwife will be at that appointment to support you and assist with any questions that you may want to discuss.

Funeral options

Under 24 weeks in your pregnancy you can choose a Chaplaincy Cremation. You have the choice of attending this service or not and is provided by East Sussex Healthcare. The Chaplain will contact you before the service to confirm if you would like to attend. There may be other parents attending this service. All of these services will be held at Hastings crematorium.

If you would like ashes from baby then the advice is to have an Individual Cremation and to approach a Funeral Directors of your choice.

Another choice available to you is an Individual Cremation. You are required to approach a Funeral Director of your choice for them to act on your behalf. We have a list of names that may assist you with your decision. Your wishes for the funeral can be discussed with the Funeral Director and your involvement in organising the funeral can be as little or as much as you wish.

Over 24 weeks you have a choice of an Individual Cremation or Burial and you are required to contact Funeral Directors to organise. The costs are usually covered but depending on your wishes there may be an additional cost. The Funeral Director will be able to advise you.

If you are undecided about your funeral choice or any other decisions which you may have made whilst you were in hospital these can be discussed with the bereavement team when they contact you.

The maternity bereavement team will contact you when you have been discharged from hospital to provide support and guidance with ongoing care. Community midwife will also be available to provide support and guidance.