Neonatal death is when a baby dies within the first 28 days of being born.
The most common causes of neonatal death are:
- premature birth - when the baby is born before week 37 of pregnancy
- low birth weight - this can mean your baby is more at risk of health problems
- birth defects - conditions your baby is born with
- complications during pregnancy or birth - for example, if your baby did not get enough oxygen
- infections
Grieving your baby's death
Losing a baby is a difficult experience.
You may:
- feel shocked - even if you knew that your baby was going to die
- feel sad, numb, panicked or guilty
- find it hard to eat and sleep
- feel angry or irritable
- find it hard to believe your baby has died
There is no right or wrong way to feel or react after losing a baby.
You and your partner may grieve in different ways. Try to allow each other time to process your loss.
Talking to your healthcare team can help you process your emotions.
If you have other children, talk to them about their sibling who has died. Every child reacts differently. Sometimes grief is expressed through tantrums and other difficult behaviours.
Coping with grief after bereavement or loss
Remembering your baby
If you wish to spend time alone with your baby, you will be given the space to do this.
Some parents may want to keep mementos such as:
- imprints of their baby’s hands and feet
- a lock of hair
- their baby’s hospital ID band
- photographs
Do not feel pressured if you feel this is not right for you.
If you are unsure or think there is a chance that you might want momentos in the future, it is best to collect them now. You can then put them away safely until you are ready to look at them.
If you do not want to organise a funeral ceremony, many hospitals have a remembrance service for babies who die in pregnancy or soon after birth.
Registering your baby
You must register your baby's birth and death within 3 months of the birth or death.
If you need to register your baby's birth or death after 12 months, contact your local civil registration service for advice.
You will usually be entitled to full maternity leave.
Getting a post mortem exam
A post mortem (also called an autopsy) can try to work out why your baby died. This may be helpful if you choose to have children in the future.
There are 2 types of post mortem exams:
- you give your written permission (consent)
- the coroner orders a post mortem without your permission
Deaths referred to a coroner
A coroner is responsible for investigating sudden, violent or unexplained deaths. They find out if a death is due to natural or unnatural causes.
Your doctor may contact a coroner if your baby’s death:
- has an unknown cause
- was caused by an accident or was very sudden or violent
- happened within 24 hours of being admitted to hospital
- happened during an operation or anaesthetic
If your baby's death is referred to a coroner, there will be a delay in registering their death. The coroner will tell you how long this might take.
They may give you a temporary death certificate.
If there is an inquest or the coroner orders a post mortem, they will send the civil registration service a certificate. The death will be automatically registered. You do not need to do anything else.
Results can take several months. Your obstetrician and paediatrician will arrange an appointment to discuss the results with you.
Sometimes a post mortem will not be able to tell you why your baby died.
More support and resources
Each maternity unit has a bereavement clinical midwife or nurse specialist who can provide you with advice and support.
You can find other resources for parents online at Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland.
