Stillbirth and Infant Loss (Vaginal Delivery): Care Instructions
Overview
The loss of a baby can be hard. You may wonder why it happened. A loss can happen even in a pregnancy that had been going well.
In the weeks to come, try to take care of your physical and emotional needs. Take care of yourself in whatever way feels best.
Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.
How can you care for yourself at home?
Taking care of your body
- Use pads instead of tampons for vaginal bleeding. Bleeding may last about 4 to 6 weeks.
- Ask your doctor or midwife if you can take an over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (Aleve), to ease cramps. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- Ease soreness of hemorrhoids and the area between your vagina and rectum with ice compresses or witch hazel pads.
- Ease constipation by drinking lots of fluid and eating high-fibre foods. Ask your doctor or midwife about over-the-counter stool softeners.
- Cleanse yourself with a gentle squeeze of warm water from a bottle instead of wiping with toilet paper.
- Take a sitz bath in warm water several times a day.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife about how to ease discomfort from your milk coming in. It can take a few weeks for your milk to dry up.
- Ask your doctor or midwife about when it is okay for you to have vaginal sex.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife if you want to try to get pregnant soon. Your doctor or midwife can tell you when it is safe.
- If you don't want to get pregnant, talk to your doctor or midwife about birth control. You can get pregnant even before your period returns.
Taking care of your emotional health
- Rest whenever you can. Being tired can make it harder to cope with your emotions.
- Tell your family and friends what they can do. You may want to spend time alone, or you may seek support from family, friends, or religious or spiritual groups.
- Try to eat healthy foods, get some sleep, and get exercise (or just get outside) while you heal.
- Talk to your doctor or midwife about how you are coping. Your doctor or midwife will want to watch you for signs of depression. You may want to have counselling for support and to help you express your feelings.
- Think about making a memory book of your pregnancy and baby. You may choose to take pictures and keep a lock of hair. Ask the hospital what they can offer to support you.
- Pregnancy and Infant Loss Programs in Alberta provide memorial services:
- If you can, try to talk to others who have gone through this loss. You can make connections online or in person. Ask your hospital to recommend local programs or organizations that can help support you and your family. Here are some organizations that can help:
- AHS Pregnancy and Infant Loss Program. This program provides support for parents who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or baby. Call 403-944-2274 in Calgary Zone or 403-309-2896 in Central Zone (Red Deer).
- AHS Perinatal Bereavement Program. This program provides support for families who have experienced the loss of a pregnancy or baby.
Edmonton Zone: 780 735-4506. - H.E.A.R.T.S. (Helping Empty Arms Recover through Sharing). This program is open to all families in Alberta affected by the loss of a baby. Go to www.heartsbabyloss.com for more information.
- Caring Beyond. This group offers in-person peer support to parents who have lost a baby (Calgary Zone). Go to www.facebook.com/CaringBeyond for more information.
- The Compassionate Friends of Canada: Go to http://tcfcanada.net for this resource for people who have lost a child. The group can help put you in touch with one of its support groups in your area.
- Watch the video series: A parent’s view of pregnancy and infant loss. These videos show the different experiences of many families going through loss. Families share stories about the time of their loss, personal grief journeys, and the challenges and decisions they faced. They have shared their stories to help others navigate this difficult time.
When should you call for help?
Share this information with your partner, family, or a friend. They can help you watch for warning signs.
Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:
- You have thoughts of harming yourself or another person.
- You passed out (lost consciousness).
- You have chest pain, are short of breath, or cough up blood.
- You have a seizure.
Call your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:
- You have signs of hemorrhage (too much bleeding), such as:
- Heavy vaginal bleeding. This means that you are soaking through one or more pads in an hour. Or you pass blood clots bigger than an egg.
- Feeling dizzy or light-headed, or you feel like you may faint.
- Feeling so tired or weak that you cannot do your usual activities.
- A fast or irregular heartbeat.
- New or worse belly pain.
- You have signs of infection, such as:
- A fever.
- Vaginal discharge that smells bad.
- New or worse belly pain.
- You have symptoms of a blood clot in your leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Redness and swelling in your leg or groin.
- You have signs of preeclampsia, such as:
- Sudden swelling of your face, hands, or feet.
- New vision problems (such as dimness, blurring, or seeing spots).
- A severe headache.
Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor, midwife, or nurse advice line if:
- Your vaginal bleeding isn't decreasing.
- You feel sad, anxious, or hopeless for more than a few days.
- You are having problems with your breasts.
Where can you learn more?
Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd
Enter G572 in the search box to learn more about "Stillbirth and Infant Loss (Vaginal Delivery): Care Instructions".
Adaptation Date: 12/13/2023
Adapted By: Alberta Health Services
Adaptation Reviewed By: Alberta Health Services
