A neonatal loss is a death of an infant born alive, or showing any signs of life, in the first 28 days of life.
Risk factors
Risk factors and reasons for neonatal death may include:
- infections like sepsis, pneumonia, tetanus, and diarrhea
- baby born preterm
- birth asphyxia (lack of oxygen to a baby’s brain before, during, or after birth)
- congenital disorders (conditions present at birth)
- illness in the birth mother, such as pre-eclampsia
Many of the risk factors for neonatal death are not preventable. Guilt after a neonatal loss is a common feeling, however, it is not warranted and could be a barrier to healing.
Babies can sometimes die after a very healthy pregnancy and normal labour. Parents often want answers and may want to blame themselves, but often there are no answers, and no one is at fault.
It may be difficult to take in medical information after your loss. Let your healthcare provider know if you have questions after the loss. You may come back any time after the loss with questions or concerns.
What to expect
If you are still in the hospital at the time of your baby’s death, your doctor or midwife will try to offer time for you to consider your options. The amount of time will depend on your health needs.
- If the death of your newborn is expected, staff will help to provide you with privacy and confidentiality by offering you a bereavement room where available. The room is designed to help make your stay as comfortable and supportive as possible.
- If the death was not expected, you may be quite shocked and may have trouble taking in information. Take your time to make decisions and write information down. Have a support person with you.
Hospital staff will give you information about the options available to you for the care of your baby. The options you choose will depend on your beliefs, preferences, and available resources.
You will be offered support from a team of health professionals. You may choose which services are most helpful for you. Your decisions and choices will be respected. You will have time with your baby. We encourage you to take as much time as you need to create memories that are meaningful to you and your family.
Loss in pregnancy with twins or more multiples
Parents often describe the loss of one or more babies in a multiple pregnancy as a “bittersweet experience.” Each moment spent thinking about the healthy twin is also a reminder of the twin that has not survived. They have mixed feelings and regrets about not being able to see their babies together as they had pictured in their minds or seen through ultrasound pictures. This can be very distressing.
Learn more about the
unique grief journey for the loss of twins or multiples, or the loss of one baby when one or more has survived.
