Registration of stillbirth can be a difficult experience for women/parents. Parental expectations of this process may not match the formal requirements. Midwives and support workers have an important role to play in preparing parents for the stillbirth registration process.
If a baby dies before or during birth following 24 weeks of pregnancy it is a stillbirth. If a baby dies before 24 weeks but is delivered after 24 weeks this is a late miscarriage.
Legally all stillbirths must be registered. The requirements for registration are different in England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Parents may not be aware of what is required.
It is important that parents are informed about what to expect from the stillbirth registration process and that information is communicated in a clear and sensitive way so that they are appropriately prepared.
This i-learn module on stillbirth registration process is designed to provide you with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide appropriate support to parents and to communicate effectively about this issue.
By the end of this i-learn module on registration of stillbirth, you will have:
- acquired knowledge of the legal requirements for stillbirth registration
- familiarised yourself with local arrangements for registering a stillbirth
- learned how to prepare and support parents for the stillbirth registration process
- learned how to present the requirements of the registration process sensitively and effectively to ensure understanding
- present information about the process in a parent-centred fashion
- discuss the required certificates in a clear way
- respond flexibly to unexpected requests and wishes
Study time 30 minutes
Course content: March 2020