Healing Hearts: How Baby Loss Awareness Is Changing Healthcare in the Middle East

Specialist Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist, Dr. Valentina Faia says, “Post-Natal Depression (PND) appears in 30–50% of women who experience baby loss, with many facing clinically relevant symptoms following a miscarriage or stillbirth. In the months after a stillbirth, 20–40% of women show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Meanwhile, 40–60% of bereaved mothers report moderate to severe anxiety, including panic attacks and intrusive or obsessive thoughts.”

Support networks can take many different forms; whether family, friends, medical professionals or work-related networks; they play an essential role in recovery and healing. During a sensitive time such as baby loss, such villages are crucial to have in place and should be accessible to all. “The very fact that we have Baby Loss Awareness Week ensures that we can pull down the walls of stigma, allowing women and families to open up about their loss, as and when they feel ready to,” says Dr. Giles Berrisford, Consultant Psychiatrist at Maudsley Health, Abu Dhabi.

Baby Loss Awareness Week not only honours the lives that have been lost, but also shines a light on the urgent need to improve our methods of support and care – because, painfully, baby loss is an unexpected reality many are forced to face. Organisations such as Love Through Loss are reshaping the grief and healing journeys of parents, by creating a safe space grounded with care, empathy, understanding and infinite support. Today, hospitals in the Middle East are better equipped than ever before – both medically and emotionally – to support families going through this traumatic experience.

Here, Bazaar Arabia speaks to five medical professionals about the empathetic care initiatives that can help support parents in their time of need.

Better Comprehension And Communication From Staff 

“It is essential that employees of all disciplines have a detailed understanding of loss. This needs to include the different types of loss, ranging from chemical pregnancy to infant loss. Employees need to receive the appropriate training in communication, which covers how to deliver sensitive news and develop skills such as active listening, validation and empathy. This will enable families to feel truly heard and reassure them that their feelings are both valid and understood.” Dr. Charlotte Cousins, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health

“I believe there has been significant progress across hospitals and medical centres to recognise the emotional and psychological impact of baby loss. It is important that we also look at loss, grief and even trauma being a part of our human experience and not feelings that should be pathologised immediately.” Dr. Rose Logan, Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director, Free Spirit Collective

Specialised Training To Transform Care

“Specialised training in grief and supporting families experiencing loss is essential for front line medical providers. I would argue that this training should be expanded throughout organisations to include employees at all levels, across all departments. For example, administrative teams who may encounter bereaved families during their hospital stay can also have a huge impact on their experience. This should also include cultural sensitivity training and communicative skills that underpin a compassionate stance for the whole organisation. I believe that anyone who works in proximity with baby loss, including the nurses, midwives, and doctors, need specialised training that goes beyond clinical knowledge.” Dr. Valentina Faia Specialist Psychiatrist & Psychotherapist at BioPsychoSocial Clinic

“Training needs to help employees feel confident in the most delicate moments. Compassionate care is not just comforting, it can be preventative of further issues. Some hospitals have introduced bereavement midwives, memory-making packs, and structured follow-up appointments.” Dr Marie Thompson, Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director, Vivamus

Tackling The Effect On Mental Heath

“Baby loss, at any stage of pregnancy or once a baby has been born, increases the likelihood of struggling with a mental health difficulties such as depression or PTSD. When women, couples and families feel listened to, respected, included in decisions, and supported to express and process their emotions felt, it can reduce the likelihood of facing PTSD or severe depression. The way in which employees respond to loss and communicate with the family experiencing it, has the power to shape the start of their grief and healing journey.” Dr. Charlotte Cousins, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Maudsley Health

“The National Institute of Health (NIH) claims that ‘perinatal depression is a prevalent and potentially severe mood disorder that affects approximately one in seven people during pregnancy or within the first year after childbirth.’ Research shows that parents who experience stillbirth or neonatal loss are at an even higher risk of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The way care is handled in the first few hours and early days can set the tone for how parents process their loss, if they feel seen and supported, and whether they choose to access timely help for their mental health.” Dr Marie Thompson, Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director, Vivamus

Independent Organisations

“There are several incredible organisations and individuals who have pioneered initiatives for bereavement support in the UAE. These have been adopted by some hospitals, and practices have become more common. Initiatives such as memory boxes, photography, and hand and foot printing are now offered in some hospitals. Many of the people who have been tireless advocates for the implementation of good practice in bereavement support, have lived experiences of loss and are able to use them to support others.” Dr. Rose Logan, Clinical Psychologist & Clinical Director, Free Spirit Collective

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