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Loss of a Baby in Multiple Pregnancy: Supporting Grieving Parents

Gain a deeper understanding of what parents go through when losing a baby in a multiple pregnancy and how to support them.

510 enrolled on this course

A black and white image of a twin baby laying under a blanket that reads 'Susie' next to a blanket reading 'Grace'.

Loss of a Baby in Multiple Pregnancy: Supporting Grieving Parents

510 enrolled on this course

  • 2 weeks

  • 2 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Give real support to bereaved parents after pregnancy or neonatal loss

Pregnancy loss and neonatal death are always devastating. When they occur in a multiple pregnancy, parents can be especially overwhelmed by the complex cluster of feelings that is evoked.

This course by The Butterfly Project will provide in-depth guidance into what parents are going through, how to provide bereavement support, and how to celebrate each life in a multiple pregnancy.

Gain insight into experiences following multiple pregnancy loss

On this course, you’ll get to explore the unique parental experiences of reproductive loss in a multiple pregnancy and the key challenges that arise in hospital wards and after discharge.

Unpack bereavement support fundamentals for every stage

The learning materials and guidelines in this course were developed in partnership with parents, so you can trust their effectiveness.

From dealing with the immediate aftermath of the loss to encouraging parents to create memories of the life they’re mourning, you’ll feel more confident in every clinical setting.

Learn bereavement support with an award-winning team

The Butterfly Project is a group of academics, doctors, and nurses dedicated to working with parents following neonatal death or pregnancy loss. Their latest research focuses on such losses experienced in multiple pregnancies. With unparalleled parental interviews and accounts, they deliver an exceptional course in bereavement support during and after these tragic events.

The development of this course was supported by an unrestricted grant paid to Skye High Foundation from Elba Charitable Foundation and Inspiration Healthcare Charitable Trust.

Free upgrade for UK NHS staff

A free upgrade of this course is available for NHS and NHS-affiliated staff. Details below.

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Skip to 0 minutes and 17 seconds Baby Matthew is quite comfortable as he begins to appreciate his place as the youngest member of the Waton family.

Skip to 0 minutes and 26 seconds But what he isn’t aware of, at least not yet, is the story of his birth and his legacy. The Watons were actually expecting a twin birth. I’m happy to let you know that we found a heartbeat. In fact, we’ve found two. And I just burst out crying even more and just went, it’s all your fault. [LAUGHS] In 2015, 16 out of every 1,000 birthing mothers delivered infants in multiples. Prematurity is common amongst these multiple births. But more so, sadly, so is the risk of death. That baby that was in the incubator there was nothing like that baby we’d seen in high dependency. She’d swollen up. The only thing I can think like a puffer fish.

Skip to 1 minute and 11 seconds When he died on the Friday in my arms– well, on my chest, the doctors came round and said that he had got three infections. The shocked parents are caught between joy at the birth of their child and grief over the loss of the other baby or babies. We want baby Matthew and his family to realise that for us he is still a twin.

What topics will you cover?

  • Background to a) multiple pregnancy b) stillbirth, miscarriage and neonatal death
  • Feelings and experiences of parents suffering reproductive loss in the context of multiple pregnancy
  • Complexity of emotions associated with loss of a co-twin, and the lifelong challenges
  • Good practice for health professionals in communication and parental support
  • Bereavement support, and end-of-care; memory making

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Demonstrate understanding into the experiences of families following multiple pregnancy loss.
  • Assess various high-quality learning materials and guidelines surrounding bereavement support.
  • Explore the challenges that arise in hospital wards and after discharge.
  • Reflect on the feelings, experiences and complexity of emotions of parents suffering reproductive loss in the context of multiple pregnancy.

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for health professionals working with expecting or recently-bereaved multiple pregnancy parents in any capacity. Doctors, midwives, nurses, counsellors, and psychologists will all find it valuable.

A free upgrade for this course is available for NHS staff by registering here https://verify.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/63bf6b04-0598-475b-afde-215d42ad2b56 .

The free upgrade is also available to NHS-affiliated staff. Check eligibility https://verify.leadershipacademy.nhs.uk/eligibility .

Who will you learn with?

Professor of Neonatal Medicine with >25 years experience in large NICU. Lead research programmes in neonatal nutrition & work with parents
www.neonatalresearch.net
www.neonatalbutterflyproject.org

I founded The Skye High Foundation back in 2016 after the loss of one of my twins, Skye. I am passionate about making a change for bereaved families during and after their loss.

I am Professor of Maternal and Child Health. I have led projects on different types of loss involving parents and professionals, gaining insights and understanding of their experiences.

Who developed the course?

The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Online courses from The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The Skye High Foundation

The Skye High Foundation provides support to families during and after the loss of a baby from a multiple pregnancy, as well as providing education for health care professionals.

Newcastle University

A thriving international community of over 20,000 students. The university’s mission as a world-class civic university means it applies its academic excellence to real-world challenges.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$349.99 for one year

Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 11 May 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

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