How can we better support parents facing this often unacknowledged tragedy? This simple question inspired 16 committed, creative and compassionate staff to form the Perinatal Bereavement Team at the Grey Nuns Community Hospital. Established in 2002, the team includes representatives from Nursing, Labour and Delivery, Intermediate Care Nursery, Postpartum, Surgery and Emergency, Admitting, Spiritual Care, Social Work, Laboratory and Photography and a physicians representative. Together they have affected the experience for parents who have lost a baby through pregnancy, stillbirth or shortly after delivery.
Calling on the gifts of group members and some generous and talented friends, the team provides each parent with a memory package containing symbolic gifts: A card with the tiny food and handprints of their baby. A cast mould of the child's feet. A naming ceremony certificate. A recognition of birth card. Memorial photographs. "Our intent is to honour the child and our hope is that these small gifts will help the family on their journey of grief and healing, " says team lead Heather Crosland.
Among the team's other achievements are a resource manual and education programs for staff involved in fetal loss.
"I'm continually in awe of the work of our staff to ensure that parents know that we care about them, " continues Heather. "I feel that their efforts truly honour the legacy of our founders--the Sisters of Charity (Grey Nuns).
|
