Loss: When Your Baby Dies
When your baby dies, the loss is profound.
You and your family deserve support that is kind and helpful.
The leading causes of infant death in Canada are:
- being born too early;
- being born with a genetic or a health problem;
- pregnancy or birth complications; and
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Infant loss and the grief that follows are recognized as intense and overwhelming. Grief is a healthy and loving response to your loss. The loss of a baby affects parents as individuals, as couples and as families. Every individual, couple and family grieve differently. There is no right or wrong way to grieve.
After your baby dies you may:
- lack energy;
- not enjoy any of the things you used to;
- feel a profound sadness, numbness, shock, anger, loss of control or isolation;
- ask yourself “Why did this happen?,” or “What could I have done differently?”; or
- feel like your life is over.
Support
You and your family deserve the support you need. Finding support may help. Consider reaching out to:
- friends and family who may help by providing practical support and companionship;
- professional counsellors who may help you understand the emotions you are dealing with;
- your primary health-care provider who may be a source of support;
- spiritual groups that may provide fellowship, comfort and connection to others; and
- support groups (online groups, forums, in-person groups) that may provide connections to others that have had similar experiences.
This video series is designed to provide you with information and support.
Experiencing the grief that comes through loss is part of the healing process. Your journey through loss to healing is important.
Services related to this information:
- Contact your Public Health Nurse for immunizations and other prenatal support.
- Mental health and addictions services
- Berevement Services, Eastern Zone, NL Health Services
- 811 HealthLine (Newfoundland & Labrador) – Call 811 or 1-888-709-2929 / TTY 1-888-709-3555
- 811 is free and confidential. 811 is available 24/7 and can provide support with mental health and addictions issues and more.
- Services formerly offered by the Provincial Mental Health Crisis Line are now offered by 811. Call 811 to speak with a registered nurse who is also a trained crisis intervener.
- Bridge the gapp
Newfoundland and Labrador’s ‘go-to’ website for mental health information. Bridge the gapp offers self-help resources, links to local services, and invites people to share their personal stories. Bridge the gapp is free of cost and available to every resident in the province. The site is divided into adult and youth sections, however many services are appropriate for both.