Exploring the Midwives experience of Bereavement Care

Supporting parents as they experience the devastating loss of their baby, be it before, during or shortly after birth presents a particular challenge to the midwife. They must skilfully and compassionately meet the often considerable physical, emotional and psychological needs of the woman (Mills 2015), correctly carry out the subsequent paperwork and finally must be able to navigate their own feelings and reactions to the loss. This article offers a brief exploration of the impact of bereavement care on the midwife, why this is important and what can be done to support midwives through the experience, thus ensuring bereaved parents receive the excellent care they need.