Professionals providing bereavement care for parents during pregnancy loss or when their baby dies can feel emotionally affected by the experience. Support and training are essential to ensure well-being and avoid burn out.

Stress is likely to occur in situations where there is limited support or help available from colleagues and managers. There should be structured support available to all professionals caring for bereaved parents.

Receiving emotional and practical support from colleagues and managers can help professionals to provide ongoing support for bereaved parents and deal with their own experiences of grief and distress. It can also be important for some staff to be able to express their grief with their colleagues and managers. 

The Sands Helpline can also offer you support if you would like to speak to someone away from a professional environement.

When caring for bereaved families professionals need:

  • Care and support from managers and colleagues.
  • Other agreed strategies e.g. debriefing sessions and case reviews.
  • Regular bereavement care training
  • Access to practical resources e.g. Sands Guidelines for Professionals

Personal strategies of self-care that may include

  • Exercise
  • Meditation
  • Going for a walk
  • Socialising
  • Ensuring at least 15 minutes a day for ‘me time’
  • Having a bath
  • Watching a favourite TV programme
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