​

Megan Fockler often hears that just knowing what to say to a parent who has had a pregnancy or infant loss is impactful.

The education coordinator runs Compassionate Care Workshops for health care professionals through Sunnybrook's Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network.

"Overwhelmingly, people feel they've learned something very useful," says Megan, also an advanced practice nurse in Sunnybrook's DAN Women & Babies Program. "One nurse mentioned that a family was so appreciative of her asking their baby's name, and having the opportunity to talk about their baby in a non-judgemental space. It's sometimes very small changes that can help to drastically improve bereavement care at a hospital."

In 2017, the PAIL Network conducted a provincial survey of over 600 families in Ontario who had experienced a loss. The survey revealed many families didn't feel they were treated with kindness and respect and often didn't receive the information they needed from health professionals. Many felt they experienced stigma from providers, and almost half reported that they were not told of supports available to them after their loss.

To address this gap, the PAIL Network offers one-day evidence-based educational sessions for professionals who support bereaved parents and families during the loss of their pregnancy or infant.

"Healthcare professionals can make a positive difference in how loss is experienced and in overall wellbeing by recognizing the impact of the loss, minimizing uncertainty and isolation, and by thoughtfully working within physical environments often not designed for the experience of loss," says Michelle LaFontaine, Program Manager for the Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL) Network.

The network's website has a dedicated section with resources and information for professionals, offering information around caring for the family, memory making, and suggestions for building capacity within clinical teams to care for families who are experiencing pregnancy and infant loss.

"We've developed specific programs, including one for Emergency Department teams, with practical suggestions for communication with families, and also information and handouts that health care staff can provide to families on areas like lactation after loss and employment leave," says Michelle.

Much of the work of the PAIL Network continues to involve peer-to-peer counselling for families.

"No loss is the same, so our groups connect families who have experienced a similar type of loss, which are moderated by a peer support volunteer who shares that experience," adds Michelle LaFontaine, adding there is support for first, second and third trimester losses, as well as sessions for families who have experienced the termination of a pregnancy, as well as infant and neonatal death and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID).

Recently, the network launched a campaign called #UnsilenceTheConversation to urge families to speak openly about their loss. The initiative includes a video which can be shared with friends, family members and colleagues, as well as an 'ad blocker' to prevent baby-related ads appearing in social media feeds.

For more information and resources on supporting families, please visit PAIL. To see upcoming Compassionate Care Workshops, please visit here. If you have questions, please email pailnetwork@sunnybrook.ca or call 888-303-7245 (PAIL).