Supporting Families Through Pregnancy & Infant Loss: In the Hospital
Course Description:
This foundational course prepares healthcare providers to support parents and families through pregnancy and infant loss in the hospital setting. Participants will explore types of perinatal loss, develop compassionate communication skills for delivering life-limiting diagnoses, and learn approaches to guiding families through labor, delivery, and early parenting after loss.
Through a culturally informed lens, the course examines how cultural, societal, and systemic factors shape grief and decision-making. Emphasis is placed on cultural humility, trauma-informed care, and honoring each family’s values, traditions, and needs.
Learners will leave with practical strategies to support family members while creating meaningful, healing moments and preserving memory.
Learning Objectives:
1. Explain three different ways for someone to give birth when there is a pregnancy loss. 2. Describe and be able to use at least three memory making activities to guide parents through loss. 3. Identify a minimum of two common mental health risk factors and reactions to perinatal loss. 4. Recognize cultural, societal, and systemic influences on grief, and the importance of cultural humility.
Lessons: 1. Foundations of Perinatal Loss 2. Grief After Loss: Mental Health, Myths, and Disenfranchised Grief 3. Supporting Parents During Hospitalization 4. Memory Making and Meaningful Rituals 5. Effective Communication and Trauma-Informed Care 6. Inclusive Support for Families and Final Reflections Certificate:
By completing and passing this course, you will attain the certificate Supporting Families Through Pregnancy & Infant Loss: In the Hospital.
Learning Credits:
Continuing Education Units 1.25
Presenter Bio:
Dr. Kiley Hanish is a neurodivergent occupational therapist specializing in perinatal mental health, with a master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Southern California. Following the stillbirth of her son, Norbert, she co-created the Emmy-nominated film Return to Zero and co-founded RTZ Hope, a nonprofit supporting families through pregnancy and infant loss. She is dedicated to ensuring bereaved parents receive compassionate care and the support they need to navigate grief with hope.
