Description
Being pregnant again after a loss often brings mixed emotions and can be a very anxious time. Parents should have access to extra care, monitoring and reassurance in their next pregnancy.
It is vital that professionals receive specific Rainbow Baby training so that they can best support bereaved parents with subsequent pregnancies after loss. The Foundation for Infant Loss training has developed such a programme which includes a wealth of parent quotes throughout and educates professionals in:
(Part 1 Advanced Rainbow Training)
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Subsequent pregnancies after loss: The emotional roller coaster
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Academic perspectives and studies
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The importance of Sensitive communication: What to say? What not to say?
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The importance of recognising the parents grief and loss and the baby that has died
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Likely emotions & behaviors. Common thoughts and common feelings
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Decisions and considerations behind trying again and choosing to wait
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Assisting parents when they are considering trying again
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Getting pregnant: Distancing, denial, guilt, fear, avoidance in telling others
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What do parents struggle most with in pregnancies after loss?
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How can we assist parents with their continued fear of another loss during pregnancy?
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Antenatal care -why some parents will request a different provider
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Rainbow Baby Antenatal care -What should be included?
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Antenatal care -Bereaved parents concerns in joining antenatal classes
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Antenatal care -Should there be Rainbow baby specific antenatal classes?
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Antenatal care – The fear and distress of constantly having to explain – the importance of marking patient notes
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Antenatal care – The importance of ensuring the mother is part of all decision-making processes
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Antenatal care – Education = Empowerment and confidence
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Antenatal care – How we can assist parents in getting ready to meet their baby
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Delivery day: Likely behaviours of parents when they meet their baby and considerations
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Delivery day: Renewed grief for the baby that has died
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Delivery day: When baby looks like the baby who has died
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Delivery day: When baby does not look like the baby who has died
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How can we assist parents with their continued fear of another loss post birth e.g. SIDS?
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How can we assist parents with their continued battle with guilt?
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How can we assist parents with bonding concerns and fears of an inability to love their subsequent baby?
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How can we assist parents with anxious parenting
Part 2
Delivering our programme of support including how to set up and run a Rainbow Support Group. All resources are provided post session including session plans, templates for parents, resources for parents, use of our logo and a permanent listing on our website should you so wish.
Parents experience: Dr Chantal Fowler Lockey BEM will also provide a personal experience of losing her first born daughter Marnie, aged 6 weeks to SIDS in November 2004 and having her Rainbow Baby, Ruby, very soon after, in September 2005. This honest account will highlight the concerns of a constant fear of another loss, an inability to bond for many months and extreme, anxious parenting. It is hoped that this account will provide professionals with an honest perspective and a sense of empathy as to the needs and support required with our Rainbow parents
In conclusion, the complex emotional and practical challenges facing parents in pregnancy following perinatal loss requires a blend of support. Specialised training for professionals will in turn help them to better support bereaved parents and to help them alleviate stress and anxiety for women and their partners and to help facilitate the development of coping mechanisms.
