Category: 0. Covid-19 – For bereaved families

If your baby has died before labour, you will need to attend hospital to deliver your baby. The choices about where you can give birth and who can attend hospital to support you may be affected by the current COVID-19 situation. Your midwife or doctor will be able to talk with you about what is possible locally and what to expect when you go to hospital. They can tell you about how visiting will work and what support you can expect from healthcare professionals after your baby is born.

You can read general information for any woman giving birth from Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists here.

If you feel unsure about making decisions about the birth choices available, maternity staff are there to listen and to support you. It may help to talk it through with family and friends.

We are very sorry you have to access this guide. The death of a baby is a devastating loss and we know how much more distressing this is likely to be at a time of uncertainty and worry over how medical and public services operate.

Please remember to follow government advice about social-distancing and self-isolation from Public Health England and other nations. If you have concerns about yourself or someone else developing symptoms please refer to NHS 111 advice about coronavirus.

During the coronavirus pandemic, our bereavement support services remain available to anyone affected by the death of a baby, bereaved parents, family members and healthcare staff.

Our freephone helpline is available to call on 0808 164 3332 or email helpline@sands.org.uk

The opening hours are 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday and 5.30-9.30pm Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

At Sands we understand that making arrangements following the death of your baby is not something you expected to be doing and it can be hard to think about the choices you have. At this time, when there are government restrictions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, there are some changes to what you might expect, for example around the breadth of choices available to you. We have written a guide to support you during your time in hospital, making choices about a post mortem, when registering a stillbirth or neonatal death and when arranging for a funeral, cremation or memorial service.