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If a baby were to die while being delivered, what would happen to their corpse?
#midwife #WhatIf
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Mary Jane’s Answer
It depends to a certain extent on the parents' wishes and how far along the pregnancy was. The midwives or nurses attending the birth will usually clean the baby and get mementos for the parents like footprints and hair clippings. They will wrap the baby and offer parents some time to hold their baby if they wish. In some cases, the parents and doctor may choose to have an autopsy or genetic testing done on the baby to determine the cause of death in order to provide necessary care for a future pregnancy for the mother. Early in pregnancy, birth and death certificates may not be legally required by the state, but closer to the end of the pregnancy, the state often requires paperwork for a death certificate. If the baby was born with signs of life and then passes away quickly, the hospital will also have to complete paperwork for a birth certificate. A funeral home may be notified and parents may wish to make arrangements for a funeral and burial or cremation. In the event that parents don't wish to have a funeral, the hospital will have a process for cremating or burying the body.
Thank you for the answer
Eugenia