Gloucestershire Royal Hospital 2016-05-04 Person 4 5 0

I was admitted to the delivery suite for induced labour after my baby died at 16 weeks gestation (a missed miscarriage). I was looked after with great kindness and compassion all the time I was in hospital - on the day the baby's death was confirmed, the day I went to take the first drugs, and on the two days I was in to deliver, and the resulting surgery due to a retained placenta. The hospital staff went above and beyond looking after just my physical health - they informed my GP and community midwife, as well as phoning the hospital where I had recently moved from to cancel my 20 week scan. They were reassuring about the process, and were very thoughtful - for example sitting with me while my husband went out for a moment, and being very attentive. They were also very caring of my husband who stayed with me throughout this process, and he was able to stay because of the family room (we were in Snowdrop). Handprints and photos were taken of our precious tiny baby, and we have had ongoing support from the bereavement midwife. Obviously I would not want anyone to be in the situation I have been through, but the care has been exceptional. I was being consulted at all stages, and at no point did I feel I was being hurried into making decisions. A couple of things - at 16 weeks gestation the baby's features degrade very quickly, so it is worth spending time with the baby immediately after it is born - when we saw her again a few hours later this was more distressing and I am glad we did look at her for a few moments immediately after she was born. I was given lots of useful leaflets, including one to stop baby/pregnancy related post coming through the letterbox. I would recommend that parents in this situation are encouraged to clear their online search history too, as I was confronted with an advert for clearblue pregnancy tests the day after I got home from hospital, which was upsetting.