GUEST CORNER
Tips for Caring for a Stillborn Infant
Bonnie K. Gensch, R.N.
Caregivers often are concerned about showing a
stillborn baby to the parents, because of the compromised
condition of the baby’s body. A baby who has been
dead in utero for even a
short time can have macerated and discolored skin and
a misshapen head. Cleansing the skin of the compromised
baby often may be viewed as adding more injury because
the skin will slip even farther if a wash-cloth is used.
The following information gives practical suggestions on
how to care for a macerated stillborn infant.
1. Place the baby into a bath basin of warm bath water
which has had baby shampoo added.
2. Squeeze a washcloth with this shampoo water over
the baby’s body; do not rub.
3. With gloved hands, place baby shampoo in hands and
gently glide over the stillborn’s body to remove all
drainage. Shampoo the hair gently also.
4. Next take the baby out of the shampoo water and
discard the bath water. Rinse the soapy water off the
baby by placing in a basin of warm water or by holding
the baby under a gentle stream of warm running water from
the faucet.
5. Take the baby from the rinse water and place on
absorbent towels or underpads. Dab with a soft cloth,
such as a Chix, to dry the baby - do not rub.
6. Place Vaseline gauze over macerated areas and hold
in place with dry gauze wrap.
7. Transparent dressings (i.e. Opsite or Tegaderm) can
be used over macerated areas if the skin next to these
areas is intact. This type of dressing can be used over a
weeping autopsy incision as well.
8. Dry ear canals and nostrils with Q-tips, gently.
9. If nostrils continue to seep fluid, place a small
amount of petroleum jelly into each nostril. This will
give shape to the nose and prevent further seepage.
10. Choose clothing that opens completely from the
front or back. The important thing is to have clothing
that promotes the least amount of handling and rubbing of
the stillborn's skin. The least amount of handling
prevents further skin slippage.
11. Parents appreciate their baby dressed in blue
clothing for a boy and pink clothing for a girl.
Sometimes only blue or pink blankets may be available;
use the appropriate color.
12. Diaper the baby.
13. Use a baby brush or comb to comb the baby's hair.
A bow can be placed in a baby girl's hair by placing a
small amount of petroleum jelly on the back of the bow to
hold the bow in place. Give the comb or brush to the
parents for a memento.
14. Snip a lock of hair from the back of the baby's
head for the parents' baby book. Be sure this is within
the family's culture or belief before providing this
memento.
15. If the baby's head is misshapen, find a cap or hat
that when tied under the chin makes the baby's face
appear more round. Fill in areas of the hat with gauze or
cotton balls if more roundness is needed.
16. When taking the stillborn baby to the parents,
line the baby blanket with absorbent underpads so any
further weeping can be collected in the underpad without
saturating through the baby blanket. Spraying the
underpads and the blanket with a commercial baby powder
freshener gives a pleasant baby scent memory and lasts
longer than baby powder.
17. Take pictures of the baby clothed and unclothed in
uncluttered backgrounds. Sinks, garbage cans, cleansing
equipment do not provide backgrounds for memories.
Remember whatever you see in the camera viewfinder will
be in the picture.
18. Positioning the baby in the morgue is very
important. If the baby is not in good alignment with the
head straight, pooling of blood occurs on the side of the
face in which the head is turned. Proper positioning
allows for subsequent viewings by the parents with little
change in the baby's facial appearance and color. Use
diaper rolls around the head and remainder of the body to
promote good alignment (see diagram).
[Used with permission, RTS Counselor Training Manual,
1993, p. 132]
Care providers can provide positive memories even when
the stillborn's skin is compromised. Hopefully, these
tips will provide some practical ideas. For more
information, please call or write:
Bonnie K. Gensch, R.N.
RTS Bereavement Coordinator
Lutheran Hospital—La Crosse
1910 South Avenue
La Crosse, WI 54601
Phone: 608-785-0530, ext. 3796
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