Please accept our sincere condolences to you and your family. There are many decisions to be made at this sad time, and one may be that you are considering taking your baby outside of the hospital setting. This leaflet will explain the choices available to you, how to care for your baby at home, who to contact should you require additional support or information and your legal responsibilities.

Why may I choose to take my baby outside of the hospital setting?

Families who chose to spend time with their baby outside of the hospital setting, tell us this is something they are glad they did, and looking back, are thankful for the time they had with their baby. Reasons families have given include:

  • Spending more time with their baby in the comfort and privacy of Home away from home setting/their own home.
  • More time to create memories with their baby and gather keepsakes away from the hospital setting.
  • An opportunity for any siblings, extended family or friends to meet their baby
  • Time together as a family to say goodbye to their baby. 

Options for you

 

  • Spending time with your baby at Noah’s Ark Hospice, having support from the team there.
  • Arrange viewings of baby in the Mortuary.
  • Spend time with your baby in your own home.

 

Leaving the Hospital and taking your baby home

Before you leave the hospital, you will be asked to sign a form which will confirm you have responsibility for your baby and are taking your baby home, and a plan to return baby or the next steps you have chosen.

You will be provided with a copy of the form which includes the contact details of someone at the hospital who can, if necessary, confirm your right to take your baby home. The form also contains details of the arrangements for returning your baby to the hospital or into the care of a funeral director, if applicable.

Safe transportation

It is important your baby is transported home in a safe and dignified manner. You will not be able to take your baby home using public transport. You can transport your baby home in your own car or arrange for a family member or friend to drive you home in their car.

If you wish to take your baby home in a taxi, we advise you check first with the company that the driver is happy to do so.

You may wish to carry your baby wrapped in a blanket in your arms, use a car seat, or place your baby in a moses basket, secured by a seat belt. It is important to take into consideration the gestational age of your baby and the fragility of their body when deciding how to transport them home. The midwife caring for you will be able to guide you.

Care at home

Once at home, it is important to keep your baby cool. We do not recommend opening windows or having fresh flowers in the room, to minimise the risk of exposure to insects. We would also advise any pets are kept in a separate room to your baby.

You will go home with one of our Flexmort CuddleCots™, your midwife will show you how to set up the cool cot before you leave the hospital.  Ideally, your baby should be kept in contact with the cool cot mat as much as possible. It will quietly cool your baby, to slow down the expected physical changes which happen following death.

This can include changes to your baby’s skin colour and lips, their skin may become more fragile, and you may notice some pink fluid leaking from their nose, mouth or skin. All these changes are normal.

You may care for your baby as you wish at home including bathing (with cool water) and dressing, however over handling may increase the rate of the changes outlined above. If your baby’s skin is particularly fragile, it may be advisable to place your baby on a pillow and hold the pillow when giving them cuddles.

If you have other children at home, let them be involved as much as they or you think is enough for them. Talking to your children to explain how your baby looks and that they feel cold to touch, can be helpful.

You will have a community midwife/Noah’s Ark Hospice nurse come and visit you every day.

How long can I have my baby home with me?

You will be able to keep your baby at home with you for a maximum of 3 days, we understand that you may want to choose a shorter time, you can arrange for your chosen funeral director to collect your baby from your home.

If you have chosen a hospital arranged funeral, you need to return your baby to the hospital. These arrangements will be in place before leaving the hospital and know the bereavement midwife will be in touch with you when you are home.

If you are bringing your baby back to the hospital, the cot can be returned to Labour Ward at the same time. It can also be collected from your home by one of our community midwives/Noah’s Ark Hospice team.

Legal responsibilities

You are required by law to inform the registrars at the registry office and plan for your baby to be buried or cremated. The midwife caring for you will provide you with the necessary documents and explain how to do this. Registration must be completed before your baby’s funeral can go ahead.