Care around Loss
Support after the loss of a baby
Trusted, evidence-based resources for parents and families
About these resources
The experiences of bereaved families are at the heart of our work. We combine what we learn from research with the insights and experiences shared by parents whose babies have died to create trusted, evidence-based resources.
We share this information widely so that bereaved parents, healthcare professionals, and support services can access reliable support and guidance. We also work with organisations that care for bereaved families, helping to improve the support available after the death of a baby.
We are very sorry for your loss.
The death of a baby brings many emotions and difficult decisions. This page brings together information and support to help you understand what’s happening, explore your options, and navigate the decisions ahead, in your own time.
Find support for your situation
Support around the time of loss
Support for Aboriginal families
Understanding what happened to your baby
There are a range of resources to support you in making decisions around investigations to understand why your baby died. At a time of intense grief and many emotions, parents may be asked to think about investigations such as an autopsy for their baby (sometimes called a post-mortem examination). This is one of the most confronting decisions for parents and families.
We hope that these resources provide you with information that will help make the decision that is best for you, your baby, and your family.
Ongoing support
“I like that it was self-paced and it was something I could do alone.”
– Bereaved father
“When you feel hopeless and have no idea what to do with such a devastating experience, it was good to know I have this.”
– Bereaved mother
“It felt warm, safe, and gentle as I moved through the modules. As a clinician I also found it very helpful and have taken things that I can implement into my own practice when caring for families.”
– Bereavement midwife
Get support now
If you need immediate support, help is available.
Are you interested in being involved in research?
The voices of parents and families are so important to inform research on preventing stillbirth and improving care for families who experience this loss. This guide has been developed to support and encourage you to be involved in stillbirth research. We have also developed a Stillbirth Research Involvement Registry to bring parents and researchers together
“It was the knowledge of how important research is that made me want to help. I hope that my experience can do that in some way.”
Our parent support organisation partners
Acknowledgement of Country
The Centre of Research Excellence in Stillbirth acknowledge the Traditional Owners of this land and their ongoing custodianship. We pay our respects to their Ancestors and their descendants, who continue cultural and spiritual connections to Country.
We acknowledge the diversity across Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, language and practices and that it is vital that all health care services respectfully manage protocol and provide a culturally positive health care experience for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people when going through sorry business.
Level 3, Aubigny Place
Mater Research Institute
Raymond Terrace,
South Brisbane QLD 4101
The University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine