When the Beginning Brings an End: UWB Students Learned About the Pain of Perinatal Loss

Sensitive communication and human support are crucial for new parents, according to midwives. Such help is especially needed after the loss of an unborn or newborn child. The topic was presented to UWB midwifery students by the association Child in the Heart.

When a child dies before birth, during delivery, or shortly after, it is a devastating blow for parents. It is not easy for midwives either, as they are often the first to support parents during such a tragic event. Caring for parents after a perinatal loss is therefore one of the most challenging tasks in their work. Students preparing for this career at the Faculty of Health Care Studies (FZS) of the University of West Bohemia in Pilsen had the opportunity to learn how this care works in practice.

The discussion on this sensitive and difficult topic was led by Zdeňka Troníčková from the association Child in the Heart, which provides comprehensive support to families who have lost a baby during pregnancy, childbirth, or shortly afterward. Midwives play a crucial role in shaping how parents experience the first days and weeks after such a loss.

“Midwifery education is not only about professional preparation for managing physiological birth, but also about understanding comprehensive care in situations that go beyond normal expectations. Students learn how to respond with sensitivity, professionalism, and empathy,” explained Kateřina Ratislavová from FZS, who has long focused on perinatal loss. In the Czech Republic, perinatal mortality has been around 4.5 per mille in recent years.

FZS students had the opportunity to hear authentic family stories and learn how important it is to offer parents more than just medical support. “The meeting with Child in the Heart was a valuable experience for the students, going beyond regular teaching. It reminded them that midwifery care is not only about professional skills but also about a human approach. In the most difficult moments, midwives can provide crucial support and understanding to families,” added Kateřina Ratislavová.

According to the organizers, the discussion was exceptionally powerfull and inspiring. It addressed a topic that is often not talked about in society while providing space for questions, sharing and a deeper understanding of the role well-prepared midwives can play in critical moments. The session also highlighted the importance of connecting clinical midwifery care with the professional support offered by non-profit organizations.