When a baby dies, it’s an enormous loss to the family, whether it’s shortly after birth, a stillbirth or a miscarriage.

 

“The death of a baby is the death of a parent’s hopes and dreams... the death of a future,” says Carolanne Hauck, chaplain at Lancaster General Women & Babies Hospital. “Before conception, many parents have already dreamed about what life will be like with the child.”

 

Women & Babies Hospital strives to help parents openly cope with their grief, giving them a chance to spend their brief time with their child in a personal way that helps them cope with their loss.

 

“We encourage parents to take as much time as they need with their baby to make memories, whether it’s a half hour or a few days,” Carolanne says.

 

 

A representative from each unit at Women & Babies Hospital is part of the Bereavement Team, which provides care to patients suffering a loss. “We have very good nurses who know just what to do for parents during this difficult time,” Carolanne says.

 

The team provides support, education, guidance and options for ways parents can honor their child’s memory.

 

The team takes photos of the child and compiles a memory box that includes clothes worn by their baby, a
ring, journal and a stuffed animal.

 

“It’s a way to validate a parent’s pain,” Carolanne says.

 

“Many parents are amazed at what we offer, but appreciate it. We want to help them notice the special things about their baby; that it’s okay to love and parent their child.”

 

Thanks to the work of several volunteers, Women & Babies Hospital is able to provide parents with clothing and blankets in a variety of small sizes for their child.

 

“These volunteers—many of whom have also experienced the loss of a child—understand what these parents are going through.”

 

Coping with the loss of a child can be difficult for a long time, and the Bereavement Team helps prepare parents for what to expect when they leave the hospital.

 

They also send the parents a card and packet of forget-menot seeds on the child’s birthday.

 

 

When there is a loss of a child at Women & Babies Hospital, a butterfly symbol is used to alert doctors and staff. “Butterflies are with us for a short time, but they are beautiful when they’re here,” Carolanne says.

 

That is the hope of the Butterfly Fund, which is used to provide educational materials to parents, memorial gifts so they can honor their child, and to help families with burial costs. Parents often use the donations as a way to honor the memory of a lost child.

 

“It’s a way for us to provide for parents in a way that they deserve,” Carolanne says.

 

For more information about the Butterfly Fund or how you can contribute call 544-0073.