The loss of a baby at birth: the role of the bereavement officer.

OBJECTIVE

To illustrate and emphasise the role of the Bereavement Officer in the management of perinatal death, as recommended and envisaged by a report of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 1985.

DESIGN

A description of the training and responsibilities of the officer and an account of her involvement with all perinatal deaths within a given period.

SETTING

Perinatal deaths in the 12 months, 1 October 1989 to 30 September 1990 from a regional neonatal intensive care unit within a maternity hospital.

SUBJECTS: A total of 59 registerable deaths, three late terminations (severe fetal abnormality) and 12 late mid-trimester miscarriages were dealt with by the Bereavement Officer in this 12 month period.

RESULTS

The introduction of this service to our unit has led to an improvement in our management of both perinatal and fetal deaths.

CONCLUSION

The service has justified fully the recommendations made by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Reducing parents' distress will facilitate their grieving and any subsequent bereavement counselling.