| Communicate in a warm, sensitive, and genuine manner. |
| Provide information in understandable lay language, which may need to be repeated. |
| Minimize delays in delivering information. |
| Be aware of and respect parents' individual and changing emotional needs. Validate emotions. Continuity of caregivers can be helpful. |
| Discuss timing of induction. |
| Discuss what parents can expect (environment for delivery and postpartum care, physical condition of the baby, disposition of the baby). |
| Provide options for intrapartum and postpartum procedures and care. |
| Treat baby with respect. |
| Respect individual preferences about seeing and holding the baby. Seeing the stillborn is validation and evidence of the baby's birth, existence, and death. Not seeing the baby may cause regret for some parents but may be the right decision for others. |
| Collect memorabilia for the parents (eg, photographs, hand and footprints, locks of hair, hospital wristbands). |
| Provide information about referrals to psychologists, social workers, counselors, and support organizations that the parents can pursue if and when desired. |
| Provide information about practical issues, such as lactation, registration of the death and funeral preparation, contraception, when to expect results of testing, and future pregnancies. |
| Provide extra support during a subsequent pregnancy, particularly around the time of the previous loss. |
