New bereavement service launches for early pregnancy loss support
The service will support women and families following losses of up to 16 weeks
A dedicated early pregnancy loss bereavement service is launching on Monday 28th September in Gynaecology across Humber Health Partnership.
The service will provide sensitive and compassionate support for women and families experiencing pregnancy loss while receiving care from Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust and Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.
It has been commissioned and developed over the past six months, in line with national guidance, to provide caring, compassionate and individualised support to women and their families following an early pregnancy loss of up to 16 weeks.
The service supports referrals to medical staff, GPs and other Allied Health Professionals, including external agencies and community support forums.
Matron Laura Steadman said the new service "will provide women and families with the extra care, compassion, and support they need during one of life's most difficult experiences".
"By offering a more personal and consistent approach to early loss bereavement care, the service will help families feel listened to, supported, and cared for every step of the way," Ms Steadman said.
Humber Health Partnership said no one has to go through pregnancy loss alone, and that it can have a profound emotional impact, not only on the woman but also her partner, family and friends.
Everyone experiences grief differently, and there is no right or wrong way to grieve, the partnership said.
Emotional responses may happen immediately, or may develop days or weeks later, and can include tiredness, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, anger, sadness, shock, guilt, anxiety or low mood.
These feelings can be a normal part of the grieving process following pregnancy loss, according to Humber Health Partnership, though personal support is available for anyone struggling.
Pregnancy loss can affect partners too, and partners may sometimes feel they need to be strong or focus on supporting the woman, making it difficult for them to talk about their own emotions, the partnership said.
Talking openly with each other, when people feel ready, can help.
Humber Health Partnership said it recognises that every woman, partner and family will respond to pregnancy loss differently, and that support will respect individual needs.
Memory-making can also be offered, to help ensure families have a memory of their loved one if they feel this would help.
An early pregnancy loss nurse is available to listen, offer support, and provide information and advice following a loss.
The partnership said its approach is sensitive and non-intrusive, allowing people to access support when they feel ready.