Create Lasting Memories

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Perinatal loss at any gestation can be devastating to a family.   Memory Box contents are all some families take home with them when they leave the Labor & Delivery unit of their hospital.  These families are often seeking a way to put hopes and dreams of what could have been into memories that create meaning for the existence of their babies. Visual memories of the infant can help in the healing process.

Parents who experience a perinatal loss describe deep feelings of the importance of photographs because they provide unquestionable proof of their baby’s existence.  Getting photographs was rated as one of the most helpful services extended to parents during a hospital stay filled with grief and mourning.  Further research offers evidence that parents want photographs that are clear and show the baby in a close-up view, so facial details can be seen.  The number of photos is not as important to the parents as the quality and content.

It is common practice for hospitals to take photographs of infants after death. Instant photos are typically taken and added to the memory box.  Polaroid terminated camera production along with their instant film in 2009, creating a need to acquire an alternate means of instant photography.  Members of a bereavement council in a tertiary labor and delivery unit were inspired to forge into a new digital direction for photos placed in the memory box of perinatal loss patients.  This technology progressive group of nurses established a way to improve lasting memories for families.

After purchasing a digital camera, memory card and printer, the 100+ nursing staff was educated on how to operate both in order to create special visual memories.  Next, a survey was made available for nurses to express their comfort level with using the camera/printer and to comment on the quality of the photographs.  Most describe the photos as much sharper and more detailed than the Polaroid instant photos previously presented to our families.  Once the staff achieves a high level of camera comfort, burning CD’s of the printed photos is the next endeavor.  This will allow for an increased number of photographs and will last forever.

Perinatal death is now recognized as a profound event for surviving parents.  Going digital offers an opportunity to afford a sufficient number of excellent quality photographs that will provide a sense of comfort as families begin their journey through their perinatal loss.