Perinatal Support for Families
Difficult news about your baby’s health can come anytime, including during pregnancy and after birth.
We offer an individualised service for your whole family from the time a baby is diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition.
In uncertain situations, the team can help ‘parallel plan’ – hoping for the best whilst preparing for the worst. We will introduce ourselves to your family as soon as possible after the referral, so we can be there for you on every step of your journey.
How we support you through every step
Support During Pregnancy
Pregnancy and birth are life-changing events and when there is a problem, things can understandably feel more unpredictable and frightening. Deciding whether to continue your pregnancy after diagnosis can feel daunting and overwhelming. We will support you throughout, whatever your decision.
Neonatal Period
Hospice support is available to any baby with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition, whether this is identified in pregnancy or soon after a baby is born. We have a diverse group of experienced professionals including Nurses, Midwives, Family Link Workers, Play Specialists and Creative Therapists. We can support management of your baby’s symptoms and help you create memories as a family. Our emotional and practical support extends to the whole family – including siblings, parents and grandparents. The team will listen to your questions or worries and provide additional support as and when you need it.
End-of-Life Care
If your baby is thought to be dying or strongly expected to die, our nursing team can help support end-of-life care in your home or at our hospice building, The Ark, in Barnet. When a baby sadly dies, some families may choose to take their baby home with our support or to stay with us at The Ark in our self-contained Butterfly Bereavement Suite. Bereavement support is available for your family for up to three years and three months.
Sibling Support
We recognise that as a brother or sister it can be difficult having a baby sibling who is unwell. We are here to support your other children too and can help you to help them. For example, our Specialist Play and Therapies teams can use creative activities to help them express and navigate their feelings and find ways of coping.
Meet our Hospice Midwife, Jen
Jen is one of only five Hospice Midwives in the UK, offering expert guidance and emotional support to expectant and new mothers whose babies have an uncertain future.
Jen can be there to support you if your baby has been diagnosed with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition, even if this diagnosis comes before they are born. Jen can offer support at every step of your journey, advising on important decisions about the future of your pregnancy and care options. If your baby does sadly die, Jen can continue to provide bereavement support.
We cannot change a diagnosis, but we can be there to support you and your family.
About our Perinatal Support
Watch this short film to find out how we can support families from the moment that their baby receives a serious diagnosis.
Some of The Ways We Have Helped Families
- Supporting you to make memories together and create mementos of your baby. For example our Music Therapist can incorporate heartbeat recordings taken in pregnancy into a lullaby for you and your baby.
- Sibling support, including therapeutic support, groups and trips.
- Music therapy whilst inpatient on a Neonatal Intensive Care Ward.
- Sourcing charitable funding.
- Respite care at home or at The Ark.
- End-of-life care at home or at The Ark.
- Support with planning a funeral.
- Bereavement support for up to 3 years and 3 months.
