After your stillbirth

Care of your baby

Each family has unique wishes and requests for the care of their baby after a loss. Your healthcare team will work with you to support what is important to you. Their goal is to respect, recognize, and support your personal and cultural beliefs, values, and practices.

Choosing a name for your baby can help your baby become “real” for you, your friends, and your family. Let your healthcare team know your baby’s name if you do choose one.

There are some care decisions that you (and your partner or support person) will need to make after a stillbirth. These will include:

whether or not to have an autopsy
deciding on a burial or cremation
deciding if you wish to take your baby home for a period of time before the burial or cremation

Ask your healthcare team about memorial services and programs in your local area. In some hospitals, bereavement or memorial services for babies who are stillborn may be offered.

Current as of: June 8, 2022

Author: Women’s Health Ambulatory Care. Approved by: Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Strategic Clinical Network, AHS

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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