• Continuing professional development (CPD)

Caring for Families Experiencing Perinatal Loss

CPD Level 7
Location
Overview

Overview

This accredited course aims to develop your knowledge, skills and abilities in caring for families experiencing perinatal loss based on the Perinatal Loss Proficiency Framework as developed by Dr Julie Jones.

This encompasses content from the following four themes:

  • Practical clinical skills
  • Emotional and spiritual support
  • Communication
  • Paperwork and related reporting

The content has also been developed in collaboration with Sands (Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Charity) and will include contributions from external speakers and parents.

The term perinatal loss encompasses all losses from early pregnancy, termination for fetal abnormality through to stillbirth and early neonatal death. This is inclusive of follow-on care, funerals and postmortems. 

This will enable you to develop the skills and confidence to promote and inform the best midwifery practice or practice in any area of healthcare involved and to advocate and provide support for families when making informed decisions from diagnosis through to follow-up postnatally.

Course requirements: Evidence of study at Level 6 (Diploma Level).

Cost and funding: This fee covers the full course cost.

  • Sept 24 - Aug 25 fees: £1800
  • Sept 25- Aug 26 fees: TBC

Credits: 40

Assessment method: An oral presentation and a written assignment.

two nursing students in a class
Study dates and times

Study dates and times

This course is taught on day release, select a start date to see the study days:

Please note, the following are self-study days:

  • Course commencing 29th January: 7th May, 18th June.

On completion of this course, you will be able to demonstrate the skills and confidence to promote and inform best midwifery practice, and to advocate and provide support for families when making informed decisions from diagnosis through to follow-up postnatally.

The content includes (but not limited to):

  • Importance of still providing routine AN/intrapartum/PN care.
  • Knowledge of terminology and legal definitions.
  • Knowledge of steps to diagnose IUD.
  • Knowledge of blood tests performed and reasons why.
  • Knowledge of drugs used (including side effects) for IOL.
  • Knowledge of pain relief options including PCA and epidural.
  • Knowledge of impact of environment where families are cared for and recommendations/local provisions for this.
  • Discussion and knowledge of the differences between delivering a baby who has died at differing gestations up to term and the effect of lack of muscle tone.
  • Experience/knowledge of what a baby looks like at differing gestations including maceration: with parental consent.
  • Know how to handle baby with respect and safely.

Emotional and spiritual support including but not limited to:

  • Understand the need for you to be patient, not give false assurances and allow parents time to spend with their baby; be parent-led.
  • Understand that grief is individual and not governed by gestation.
  • Ensure cultural and religious beliefs are acknowledged and incorporated into plan of care.

Communication including but not limited to:

  • How to break bad news
  • Knowledge of grief reactions and individual nature of grief surrounding loss of a baby at any gestation.
  • How to approach discussions around making memories and wishes of parents around delivery; meeting baby

Paperwork including but not limited to:

  • Become familiar with the care pathway used locally and the National Bereavement Care Pathway led by SANDS. Includes understanding the importance and significance of each point (some following competencies will be covered within this but are detailed specifically at present).
  • Essential to know how to refer families to the Bereavement Specialist Midwife.
  • Understand essential certification and documentation.
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Julie Jones

Julie Jones

I have been a member of the Midwifery teaching team since 2014. I teach across a variety of modules over the three years of the Midwifery course as well as postgraduate modules. My speciality is caring for families experiencing perinatal loss and women with complex needs.

I have been a member of the Midwifery teaching team since 2014. I teach across a variety of modules over the three years of the Midwifery course as well as postgraduate modules. My speciality is caring for families experiencing perinatal loss and women with complex needs.

Study and career progression

Study and career progression

This can be taken as a standalone module or the credits can be used towards one another course:

  • PgCert/PgDip/MSc Clinical Practice (badged awards available e.g. Midwifery) 
  • MSc Advanced Professional Practice (badged awards available eg Midwifery).
How to apply

How to apply

We recommend your application is submitted to the University at least two weeks prior to the start of the course. 

After your application is accepted and you have been offered a place on the course, you will be sent information about how to enrol. You must complete enrolment before your course starts.

Apply for this course

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Contact us

For more information about our CPD courses please get in touch with Dr Claire Anderson, Associate Dean (Berkshire), College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare:

Browse more CPD courses

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Find out more about Continuing Professional Development with the College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare and see the range of courses on offer.