SILENT BIRTH
Who was this little person?
If a foetal heartbeat can no longer be detected during pregnancy, the baby has died in the womb. The circumstances can vary greatly and the reasons usually remain unexplained.
The loss of a baby during pregnancy causes unspeakable pain. The irretrievable has happened. This pain and grief manifest themselves in different ways and require individual time and space.
If a baby dies in the womb, its imminent birth is recognised as Silent birth labelled.
There is no rush, the baby does not have to be born immediately. It often takes time to come to terms with the question of birth.
Julie Fritsch / Photo: Paul Schraub
It may be that the thought of giving birth vaginally feels strange at first and sometimes seems unimaginable. And yet vaginal birth is recommended, as it can have a healing effect on the grieving and processing process in the further course of life and vaginal birth is less risky for the mother.
In our birth centre, we look after stillbirths after the 36th week of pregnancy and are (can be) there for you and yours during the final stages of pregnancy, the birth and beyond. Even if you were not in our care before the child's death.
An out-of-hospital birth is possible in most cases. During the birth itself, continuous care is provided by your midwives.
In accordance with your wishes, we will accompany you after the birth as you get to know your baby and say goodbye, allowing space for touch, rituals and memories. During a silent birth, this time together is unique and very important. You decide how you want to spend this time.
Thanks to the co-operation with the KinderPact e.V. the necessary next steps can take place at our birth centre after the birth. We can also refer you to other specialists.
Please contact us if you would like more information about breastfeeding and care at geburt@geburtundgesundheit.hamburg.
Together we will discuss the most suitable option for you and the possibilities of an out-of-hospital birth as well as the support provided by our midwives during this phase of your life.
Julie Fritsch / Photo: Paul Schraub
What are the options?
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If a miscarriage is detected, there is usually no acute need for action. You can take your time with all possible suggestions for measures and think about them first. There is no acute danger to you or your body (including the risk of infection) if you first take your time and weigh up the options on offer. It is important that you know that it is up to you to decide how to proceed.
At the Wait and seen Procedure waiting until the body itself begins the small birth. There is also the option of medicinal to speed up the process. However, it is recommended that someone close to you is available. In some cases, a so-called Curettage is recommended. This is a procedure in which the pregnancy tissue is removed under general anaesthetic with the help of instruments. It is performed by gynaecologists and, like any medical procedure, can involve risks.
You can take your time to weigh up what is the best option for you and give your body the time it needs, which can also be beneficial for subsequent pregnancies.
What support options are there for you?
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If your pregnancy doesn't go as planned, a midwife can be there for you with information, advice and support so that you can go through the process at your own pace. Herbal remedies or acupuncture can also help. We will support you in the event of early pregnancy loss, even at home.
Julie Fritsch / Photo: Paul Schraub