Information and Support
After providing you with information about the cardiac problem:
- We will allow time for questions, to express grief and to be left alone if desired.
- We will provide you with written information to take away with you, including contact numbers and information about relevant support groups. Some conditions have a lot of information available whilst with others there is very little known.
The team will make arrangements for follow-up. If appropriate, this will include a referral to the Fetal Medicine Unit for consideration of further testing . We will also communicate with your local hospital/community teams/GP regarding plans for the remainder of the pregnancy.
Continuing with your pregnancy
Our specialist nurses will:
- Offer support during every fetal cardiology outpatient appointment and offer phone contact between appointments.
- Check appropriate arrangements have been made for delivery (in your local hospital or here in Leeds).
- Refer you to our Cardiac Psychology and Counselling Team who can support you throughout pregnancy and after the birth, if needed.
- Coordinate appointments to see other professionals.
- Arrange contact with other parents who have been in a similar situation to yourself.
If you chose not to continue with your pregnancy
We will discuss options available to you including termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality.
We can offer contact pre and post termination and referral for specialist support services including:
- Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) who offer practical advice and individualised support for parents pre and post termination.
- Sands – a self-help support group for bereaved parents and their families.
We will also speak to your community midwife so they can give you post delivery care.
If you are opting for comfort care
Comfort Care is when you decide that your baby should not undergo surgery or intervention after birth.
We will continue to support you during your pregnancy and if you wish, can refer you to a children’s hospice/paediatric palliative teams for end-of-life care and support. We also offer bereavement follow up.