Post Mortem Examination

A post mortem is offered to all parents who have experienced a pregnancy loss at 16 weeks gestation and over. A post mortem can be very helpful in identifying why your baby died. Although a post mortem does not always find a definite cause for late miscarriage or fetal anomaly it may help exclude some causes that you may be worried about. In cases of fetal anomaly it can also provide further information about defects that were present e.g. genetic or chromosomal conditions, structural anomalies or any other conditions.

Some parents are certain from the beginning that they want a post mortem, others may not be sure. It is your decision so take time to think it over. If you have any questions or concerns then your doctor or midwife or the Bereavement Midwife Advisors will be able to talk it through with you.

On the next few pages we have given a brief summary of the post mortem process but you will receive the recommended Stillbirth and Neonatal Charity (SANDS) Bereavement support book - section ‘Understanding Why Your Baby Died’ -information for parents.

This may answer any further questions you have.