Your baby – a leaflet for you if you have miscarried during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy

Losing a baby can be one of the hardest of life’s experiences. Please accept our deepest sympathy. Parents often tell us that they feel a sense of disbelief, anger and hurt, as well as a mixture of so many other feelings. You may have many questions at this time; this leaflet aims to answer some of them.

Book of Remembrance.

You may like to have your baby’s name written in the Book of Remembrance. There is one in the chapel at the Princess Royal Hospital and one in the chapel at the Royal Sussex County Hospital. Please ask a member of staff about how to make an entry, or contact the chaplaincy office at the hospital. There is no charge for making an entry. You do not have to be a churchgoer to have your baby’s name written in the Book of Remembrance, it is there for everyone.

Annual Memorial Service.

There is also a memorial service held every year, usually in the winter, for families to remember their babies who have died. You will be sent information about this nearer the time, unless you ask us not to do this. Many families find it helpful to come and some families come every year. However you do not have to attend.

The hospital will arrange for your baby to be cremated at the local crematorium. This would take place as soon as is practicable and will most probably be together with other pregnancy losses. The hospital will arrange the cremation with the hospital’s contracted Funeral Directors. There is no formal ceremony at the crematorium for you or others to attend and no ashes to collect.

There are some undertakers who will conduct individual funerals in regard to a pregnancy loss under 12 weeks. You will need to make your own arrangements privately with a funeral director. The Bereavement Office have contact details for these.

You will need to contact the Morturary Department within 30 days of signing the P1 form. If we have not heard from either you or your funeral director by then, the hospital will arrange a cremation.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust

Bereavement Offices:
Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 696955, extension 4611
Princess Royal Hospital 01444 441881, extension 8101

Mortuary Department:
Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 696955 extension 4144

Chaplaincy:
Princess Royal Hospital 01444 441881 extension 8232
Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 696955 extension 4122

Midwifery and Neonatal Care Centre Counsellor:
Royal Sussex County Hospital 01273 381210

Just Friends Support Group:
01273 696955 extension 4373/4

ARC – Antenatal Results & Choices Helpline:
0845 0772290
www.arc-uk.org

Counsellor, Morley Street: 01273 242091

Miscarriage Association:
01924 200799
www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk

SANDS – Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Local Befriender Service):
07799 031645
mail@brightonandhovesands.co.uk

SANDS – Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society:
National line: 0207 436 5881

Alternatives pregnancy choices and loss support:
www.alternatives-brighton.org
To book an appointment call 01273 207010.

• BSUH NHS TRUST(2011) GP001 Early Pregnancy Unit Clinical Guidelines.
• Patient UK Information leaflets www.patient.co.uk. Women’s Health Category.
• Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists www.rcog.co.uk
• National institute for Heath and Clinical Excellence. Clinical Guidelines. Nice Pathways www.nice.org.uk

This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.

The information here is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.