1. Fetal Demise/Stillbirth
&
Infant Death
NLC P/P# 6600.0602A Fetal Demise/Stillbirth
NLC P/P# 6600.0602B Final Disposition for a Live Birth Infant with Immediate Expiration

2. NLC provides a supportive environment for
families experiencing fetal demise, still
birth, or infant death.
NLC policies outline procedures to handle
these difficult situations.

3. NLC P/P# 6600.0602A Fetal Demise/Stillbirth
All fetuses if more than twenty weeks gestation or weighing more than 350
grams who die before delivery are considered stillbirths. Anything less is
considered an abortion. All parents of stillborn infants are given the choice of
appropriate burial or disposal per hospital by release to the Lab of Pathology.
All parents of stillborn infants are given the choice of appropriate burial or
disposal per hospital by release to the Lab of Pathology.

4. NLC P/P# 6600.0602B
Final Disposition for a Live Birth Infant with Immediate Expiration
When an infant who is born alive immediately expires (even after 1
second), disposition of the remains must be handled in the same manner as an
adult who dies. The parents are offered the options of
burial, interment, cremation, or donation.

5. Grief/Support information is given to mother /family
Identify the patient’s support system and coping mechanisms.
Offer to call patient’s own clergy or Pastoral care.
Inform patient of her options:
• To see and hold the infant, discuss demise appearance prior to mother holding.
• To bathe and dress the infant.
• Provision of time alone with infant.
• Choice of room change after delivery or unit transfer if patient requests.
Discuss creating memories (i.e., footprints, photos, blanket, clothes)
Stay with family during birth. Respect their wishes in regards to seeing the infant.
Allow the family the amount of time desired with infant.

6. Gestational age and weight in grams define which
regulatory requirements are necessary.
Due to infrequency it is best to pull the appropriate
policy to use as a guideline during this process.