<div>The devastation and grief felt by parents when their baby dies is
life-long, and can have a huge impact in all aspects of their life. The
life they may have planned and imaged with their baby and as a family
disappears and while good bereavement care cannot take away the pain it
can help parents’ wellbeing both immediately after their baby dies and
into the longer term.</div><div>The past few years have seen considerable improvements in the provision
of high-quality bereavement care for parents and families. However, the
delivery and availability of this improvement is inconsistent. Delivery
of good bereavement care needs well-trained staff and consideration of
the physical environment in which the care is given. This relies on
services and facilities being adequately resourced and staff having the
time and opportunity to access the right training and support.</div><div>This study surveyed parents who self-identified as being bereaved by
stillbirth. Parents were asked about their experience of factors that
are associated with respectful care (Small et al.). Shockingly, one in
four parents reported disrespectful care. The findings further highlight
some of the disparities that exist globally; parents from middle-income
countries, babies born at earlier gestations and first-time mothers were
most likely to report disrespectful care.</div><div>The study found some key components of respectful bereavement care, such
as memory making, were not being delivered, and that communication was
at times rushed and difficult for parents to understand. Parents often
tell us that they replay the detail of what happened around the time of
their baby’s death and these memories are intertwined with those of
their baby. It is vital that staff can communicate sensitively with
parents, using language they understand and mirroring parents’
preferences without rushing (Sensitive and effective communication
| Sands - Stillbirth and neonatal death charity, n.d.).</div><div>Often the only time parents bereaved by stillbirth will have with their
baby is when they are receiving bereavement care but if there is little
evidence of the time spent together parents can find it difficult to
develop a meaningful relationship with their baby. Supporting parents to
make memories and keep a record of this time, for example by taking
photographs and hand and footprints, can help parents forge an enduring
bond and connection with their baby after they have to say goodbye
(Memory box | Sands - Stillbirth and neonatal death charity,
n.d.). Activities such as washing and dressing their baby can provide
parenting opportunities recognising their role as the baby’s parents.</div><div>Respectful and compassionate bereavement care can make an immense
difference to parents’ lives and futures. Accessing good quality care
should not be determined by factors such as geography, the baby’s
gestation, or parents’ socioeconomic status. Knowing the difference good
care can make to a parent’s life course should be a priority for service
providers and governments.</div>