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The Perinatal Institute has completed a set of notes to support good quality record keeping and aid supervision and training. The scenario is intended to show clinicians how the Postnatal notes for bereaved mothers should be completed.

The notes have been developed, as a standalone booklet promoting sensitive individualised care, ensuring appropriate support for the mother. When the mother has been bereaved, the specialist document contains minimal references to the baby following a stillbirth or neonatal death. This ensures that the mother is given information that relates to her specific care requirements. Extensive consultation has been undertaken with specialist charities/support groups and specialist health care teams. At the end of the period of midwifery care, the booklet is returned to the unit for filing and is available for the postnatal appointment with the obstetric team.

Bereavement care has been associated with a lack of communication between different health care professionals. SANDS recommend this issue would be improved by more streamlined documentation. These notes have been designed to facilitate this and improve standards of care. The notes are tailored to meet individual physical and psychological needs of the woman and her family. While offering an equitable service which is accessible, flexible and sensitive.

All clinical care and management plans are documented within the hand held record encouraging openness and transparency.

For further information, please contact the specialist midwives at the Perinatal Institute: notes@perinatal.org.uk