Bereavement

Common responses in the wake of perinatal bereavement

Grief can affect emotional, social, physical, spiritual/religious and mental wellbeing. Grief is not a set of finite stages, instead it comes and goes over a lifetime reducing in intensity over several months or years but re-emerging at particular times or milestones. It involves varied, complex and sometimes conflicting emotions that may come up suddenly and unexpectedly.

Couples may cope and express their feelings very differently which can cause friction. However, contrary to some popular beliefs most parents stay together in the wake of a bereavement and many benefit from couples' grief counselling.

If parents, other family members or friends are struggling with complex responses in the wake of the loss, feeling unsupported or feel unable to cope, they are encouraged to see a health professional or a counsellor who specialises in perinatal loss.

The information below includes some parents’ common reactions which may occur as a result of any pregnancy, baby or child loss. Many parents experience some but not all of these and no two people experience or cope with grief in exactly the same way.

Physical symptoms

Disrupted sleep and appetite; headaches; body tension or aches and pains; stomach pain and digestive issues; nausea; flare-up of pre-existing chronic health issues; still feeling pregnant; feeling empty. Mums can experience the distress of lactation issues.

Emotional responses

Shock, disbelief – many people report numbness and emptiness after learning that their baby has died. They may also experience a sense of detachment from reality.

Guilt – feeling guilty that they didn’t prevent the loss, that they should have done something differently or as if their body has let them down.

Anger, blame or sense of injustice – parents may blame themselves or others. They may be angry with others that life isn’t fair or feel confused about spiritual or religious beliefs that they believe have let them down.

• Worry they may struggle to get pregnant again and/or significant anxiety during subsequent pregnancies.
• Deep sadness about the baby’s absence and grieving a future that no longer exists.
• Fears or anxiety about the future about their own or loved ones’ health or safety.
• Jealousy about other people’s pregnancies.
• Overwhelmed with daily life.

Cognitive responses

• Thoughts about dying/wanting to die.
• Thoughts such as: “I wish I never had to wake up again”.
• Intrusive thoughts or images about the safety or wellbeing of themselves or other loved ones.
• Spiralling thoughts along the lines of “what if…” that seem unrelenting and out of control.
• Negative thoughts about self-including thoughts of failure, hopelessness.

Common social responses

• Feeling distant, isolated from other family and friends, feeling abandoned.
• Experiencing other people as insensitive or unsupportive or feeling let down or disappointed by others’ difficulty in dealing with grief.
• Changes in family dynamics or relationships. Parents may notice behavioural changes in their other children or tensions with other family members such as their own parents.
• Feelings of not fitting in or being misunderstood.
• Losing interest in social activities or finding small talk in social groups difficult as it can feel superficial when they are feeling such deep loss.
• Stress about returning to work or financial issues, disinterest in work.
• Lacking the motivation to leave the house or see other people.
• Concern about how to explain what has happened to family, friends or colleagues.

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Long-term triggers

In the months and years after their loss, parents may experience painful reminders from expected and unexpected sources including:

• Pregnancies and births among family or friends.
• Deciding what to do with the contents of their baby’s room, if it was already set up.
• Birth date or anniversary of death.
• Significant occasions such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or holidays.
• Any major life change such as moving house or the loss of another loved one.
• When their child was due to reach certain milestones, such as walking or starting school.
• Dealing with questions such as ‘how many children do you have?'.
• Dealing with being excessively vigilant or protective with their other children.
• Feeling anxiety and fear during subsequent pregnancies or when subsequent babies are asleep or sick.
• Having to visit a hospital or other locations associated with the loss.

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Suggestions for grieving parents

• Find ways to create an ongoing bond or connection with the child who died. This may include regular rituals and acknowledging birthdays, anniversaries and other milestones. This allows for healing and honours a parent’s continuing connection with their baby.
• Talk to a doctor or other healthcare professionals to gain further understanding of the possible medical causes for the baby’s death.
• Provide feedback to the medical team if there are unresolved issues.
• Seek support from family and friends if they are able to provide it.
• Seek counselling, peer support, support groups or online groups.
• Remember that grief is an individual experience and different people grieve in different ways. If significant relationships are suffering, seek counselling together. Please visit Red Nose Grief and Loss for more information about relationships.
• Speak to your Manager or workplace about possible bereavement leave for yourself and your partner.
• Please download our Coping with Reminders of Pregnancy Loss Fact Sheet

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Date of Last Review: April 2021