“Life that was not born” Changing care February 17 18:57

"I was told that 'the baby's skin would melt,' and I couldn't meet him. I could just melt it and leave it alone." A woman who had only 55 grams of a dead baby was still in those days Have the sadness of
It is said that one out of every seven women experiences a miscarriage. In addition, even if a baby grows in the tummy, about 20,000 women annually experience a "stillbirth" that dies before birth. The care that was not enough before is now changing. (Reika Ikehata, Reporter, Science and Culture Department)

"I wanted to take care of my baby"

A woman in her 40s who experienced stillbirth five years ago. "The photo was taken when I was doing well," and the echo photo presented by the woman clearly showed a small baby with a rounded back.

However, during the 5 months of pregnancy when the baby entered a stable period, an ultrasound examination at a regular medical examination showed that the baby's heart had stopped.

Babies after 12 weeks of gestation will give birth as usual, even if they have died, instead of undergoing surgical procedures.

Artificially labored, the woman gave birth to 55 grams of baby.

(Woman)
"It was a baby that felt like it was a good deal. It was white and glowing, and it was so beautiful. I always wanted to see it."

However, during the three days before the cremation, the woman repeatedly appealed to medical staff for wanting to see her baby, but was unable to do so.

Women still regret not being able to stay with their babies.

(Woman)
"I couldn't do that either. The nurse told me," You can't because your baby's skin melts. "

The woman told me, "I have to keep my mind in order," even in my painful breasts.

Care for overlooked stillbirths

"Don't meet deceased baby"
"Sorrowing mothers leave alone"

Until now, the mainstream of medical practice was to think that it would be better not to let the deceased baby and family come together so that they would not be shocked. It was left to the independence of the medical practice, and in most cases, insufficient care was provided.

This is about to change.

Last month, the Japanese Society of Midwifery, created by midwives and nurses, created new guidelines.

The guidelines are based on the latest research and the voices of the parties and believe that proper care can lead to a mental recovery of the family.

In this, if you wish, it is recommended that you have time to meet and talk with your deceased baby and take photos. For those who wish to have the next pregnancy or childbirth, we will provide a counselor with a knowledge of genetics and increase the number of prenatal checkups to help alleviate anxiety.

It is expected that the response at the medical site will change in the future.

Search for family care

Some hospitals are pioneering the care of families who have experienced a stillbirth and miscarriage.

The Kanagawa Children's Medical Center in Minami-ku, Yokohama actively accepts high-risk birth cases, and stillbirth accounts for 8% of all births. Hospitals have been searching for ways of care in response to the voices of their families.

We interviewed the obstetrics and gynecology ward with permission from the hospital.

On the day of the interview, the obstetrics and gynecology department had a meeting to prepare for the delivery of the deceased baby.

"We have a request to have a partner present, so we would like to respond to birth."
"I would like to spend time with my baby."

The preparations were the same as for normal childbirth.

The hospital will provide a list of things your family can do with your baby, even in the case of stillbirth.

If we wish, we take time to care for us, such as lying together and putting breast milk in our mouth, so that we can leave umbilical cords, footprints, hair and nails.

Clothes ranging in size from 8 cm to 40 cm are also available to fit the body of the deceased baby. Mothers with the same experience are handmade.

Medical staff also prepared a small bed for the baby so that they could spend time with the family in the room where the mother was hospitalized.

Irreplaceable time for family

I was able to talk to a couple in their 30s who received care at this hospital.

The couple lost their twin babies four years ago and has experienced stillbirth since. He is said to have been saved by the care he received at the hospital. The couple strolled on the rooftop of the hospital with their dead baby.

(Husband) "Would you like to go for a walk, taking a bath, dressing in the clothes prepared at the hospital, and in a beautiful state?"
(Wife) "I took a photo with me."

The woman showed a talisman made of the same cloth as the clothes she had put on her baby. When you go to bed, you put it on your pillow, and when you go out, keep it with you.

He saw her baby's palms and talked about how her eyebrows and hairline look like.She stayed with her at the hospital and talked about her memories of the days she spent with her family. Was.

(Husband) "I knew that my body was getting colder, but I think the time spent together with my family was really irreplaceable."
(Wife) "I feel thankful for coming to us. It's really thanks to you."

Outpatient counselor

Some hospital counselors have genetic expertise. An outpatient department has been set up for counselors to explain medical causes and provide mental support for the next pregnancy.

Counselor Tomoko Nishikawa says:

"Even if the tests show that the couple has no cause of stillbirth or miscarriage, they still have no idea why they happened to themselves. I hope it will be a place where people can think about whether their lives have had any meaning. ''

Long-term support required

In the future, the care that has been provided at the Kanagawa Children's Medical Center based on the new guidelines is expected to begin at medical institutions around the country.

What is also needed is long-lasting support. During the interview, I met a family member who had difficulty working and going out even after several years of stillbirth, and could not return to everyday life.

A family who had experienced stillbirth or miscarriage gathered and interviewed a self-help group called "Ans Smile". The couple in their forties, who had their daughter dead eight years ago, said that it was still hard to get involved.

(Wife) "I've been looking down for seven years."
(Husband) "I hear that someone close to me was pregnant or gave birth, but congratulations, I can't even call me. Even if I get a new year's card, I'll fall down with" I'm sorry. "
(Wife) "I'm guilty of myself ignoring my stillborn daughter."

Aya Oshio, the representative of the organization, also experienced stillbirth. He shared his experience with the couple who participated.

(Mr. Oshio)
"Thirteen years after my stillbirth, I've finally been able to tell pregnant women," I hope you'll do your best and have a baby. If you're thinking of a baby who's still dead, feel guilty. " You don't have to hold it. ''

The woman who attended said, "I felt for the first time that there was a place to stay and that I could be there. That was good."

“The stillbirth is one life”

Experts point out that it is important that people first understand the idea that "I want my child who died before being born to be regarded as one's life."

"Until now, healthcare professionals had never thought about the life and dignity of a baby, but for the family, both the child who died in the tummy and the living child were important, and they thought together from there. I think it is necessary to go on. ''

During the interview, I heard many times from the people involved that "I had been injured when I received a baby's visit to the government office but received a phone call for a baby check-up."

The government's response also needs to be improved.

Care according to each

After broadcasting this special feature at the end of last month, we received a lot of feedback.

"When I experienced a stillbirth, I was freaked out in a room where no one came to the room and I could hear the birth well, and I was discharged from the hospital to escape. Hopefully the new guidelines would spread quickly."
"I personally felt like I was married and without children, but I knew that those who had a stillbirth or miscarriage were hurt by casual words and behavior from around."

Stillbirth and miscarriage experiences have their own perceptions. Some families want to stay alone.

On the other hand, I heard many people who were hurt by the words "I can't be sad forever" or "I'm going to get pregnant soon next time".

"They said," It was painful, "and they gave me flowers to the deceased children, and felt that" I was grateful for myself and my deceased child. " I was happy at that time. "

In various scenes of society, I felt that I wanted to spread the way I approached my family.

Reika Ikehata, reporter of the Ministry of Science and Culture Joined in 2010. After working at the Kanazawa Bureau and other departments, since 2016, she has been focusing on reproductive and perinatal medical care at the Ministry of Science and Culture.

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