Healthcare workers

As a healthcare worker, you will play a vital role in caring for teenagers who are experiencing the loss of their baby.

Communication

• Use clear, age-appropriate language - avoid complex medical jargon, but make sure you are still using the correct medical terms.

• Do not talk down to them; show them the same respect you would show an adult.  - If there is a parent or guardian present, you should still be addressing the young person as they are your patient and they are the one experiencing the loss.

• Be honest and direct about what is happening.

• Validate their loss - avoid phrases about how young they are, that they could try again, etc. Instead, acknowledge their loss.

• Normalise their feelings - reassure them that it is normal and ok to feel whatever they are feeling. Feeling upset, angry, numb, guilty, relieved, or any other emotion is a natural response to this loss.

• Listen to them properly, give them your full attention - do not interrupt them, let them ask questions and take time to process what they are being told.

• All discussions about bad news should also be given in a timely and unhurried manner.

Medical Care

• Make sure you are in an appropriate room/environment with privacy when discussing difficult conversations with the young person.

• As long as they are deemed 'gillick competent' they, you must respect their right to make their own medical decisions regardless of their age. You must maintain their confidentiality, which includes not disclosing their information to parents/guardians without their consent, even if they are under 16.

• Make sure to book follow-up appointments with the appropriate services to check in on their physical and emotional recovery.

Safeguarding and Trauma-informed mindset

• Assess their situation and support system - make sure they are being properly supported by their parents/guardians. You should also make sure that their support circle is given proper access to resources that can help them support their young person properly.

• Respect the young person's choices and make sure they are involved in decision-making about their own care.

• Let the young person decide who is in the room with them. For medical procedures, make sure they know they can have a chaperone with them

Memory Making after delivery

• Let the young person choose what they want to do with any remains. Clearly explain to them what their options are for memory-making without pressuring them. 

  • • Some things you can suggest are footprints, handprints, photos or spending time holding their baby if it's possible.

• Provide keepsakes, offer them memory boxes if your hospital provides them and let them decide if they wish to use them or keep them. Many hospitals in the UK are provided with memory boxes by a charity called 4Louis. If your trust isn't covered by them, you may have an alternative option. You are also welcome to contact the charity; they may be able to provide you with some.

• If they do not wish to do any of the memory-making or see the baby, then do not force them. Only the young person can consent to any of this.

After stillbirths and neonatal deaths

• Give them time to hold their baby and do other activities they wish to, which could be things such as bathing their baby, changing their nappy, getting them dressed, etc.

• If possible, let them know they have the option to take their baby home for a few days before the funeral. The hospital may have equipment such as cold cots or prams, which can facilitate this. This is usually donated by charities. If the hospital is unable to provide one, please contact a charity that can help get one.

• Post-mortem investigation consent - You should discuss with the parents their options for post-mortem examinations or testing of the placenta.

  • • You should explain that this is done to try to find answers to why it has happened. The investigations can take a while and may end up not finding anything at all. Parents can consent to none, part or all of the investigations.

    • They must be informed that a Coroner's post-mortem does not require their consent to be undertaken.

    • For certain religious situations where early burial or cremation is required, it may be possible, depending on the trust you work for, for the body to be returned to the family without nervous tissue, which can be buried or cremated at a later date. These situations should be discussed appropriately with the family and pathologist

Referrals

Teenagers usually require youth-focused bereavement services rather than adult-focused services. You should ensure that you refer them to resources that are appropriate for their situation.

Some examples of resources to share with them include:

• Child Bereavement UK - has extensive guidance for supporting young people with grief, has resources for both the young people and their parents/support network

• NHS talking therapies

• Charities with online resources, helplines, support groups, free counselling and further advice. - Please look through our helplines page for more information on what support services there are and what contact details you could share with the young person.

Supporting Yourself

Supporting teenagers through baby loss can have a huge impact on your mental health, so it's important to recognise how it is impacting you and what you can do to help with it.

• Make sure to take care of your own needs, such as eating, drinking and sleeping properly. Exercise regularly and make sure to take time for yourself

• Use relaxation techniques, take time for your hobbies, spend time outdoors, etc.

• Make sure to take your annual leave when you need it

• If you are struggling, let someone know; speak with a colleague or your manager. The trust you work at should have resources available to help you.

• Contact your Professional Midwifery Advocate (PMA), as they can help support you.

(Thames Valley & Wessex Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, 2025; NHS England, 2026)