Any live born baby that dies should be referred to a paediatric pathologist at Pendlebury for an autopsy.
For autopsies on stillbirths and non-viable fetuses, the DOH form "consent to a hospital post mortem examination on a baby or child" should be complete.
For first trimester miscarriages, any products of conception should be sent to the histology department accompanied by a consent for examination signed by the mother and indicating her wishes for disposal of any fetus that may be found. Note the "Consent for histopathological examination and disposal of tissue following early pregnancy loss" solicits consent to histological examination of the non-fetal tissues only. The fetus will not be dissected or examined histologically. With rare exceptions, such an examination of a first trimester fetus is uninformative. A printed multipart form is available but it may also be found at elearn-uhsm.co.uk/pathhandbook/consentform9_1.pdf. The specimen cannot be examined without appropriate consent; lack of an accompanying appropriately filled consent form will result in delay to reporting which may have adverse effects on the patient's management.
At all gestational ages, the hospital offers the option of disposal at a monthly ceremony at the crematorium.
If you have any questions, please speak to us or to the bereavement midwife, Chris Navin.