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Your Rights in this Very Difficult Time Here is a list of some of your rights depending on your situation, the age of your baby/child or stage of your loss. The first few are specifically for infants. You have the right to have information given to you in words that you can easily understand and to have the information repeated as many times as you need. You have the right to bathe and dress your baby. (There may be some restrictions depending on hospital policies). You have the right to see, touch and hold your baby before and/or after the death, no matter how premature or small. You have the right to accept as many keepsakes as possible such as the crib card, lock of hair, foot prints, hand prints, record of weight and length, the tape measure used to measure your baby, a diaper from the pack that was used for your baby, your baby's ID bracelets, the cap and booties, the comb and/or brush, lotion bottle, any stuffed animals that might have been in the crib, blankets or clothes and any special photos the staff may have taken. You have the right to have a special outfit to put the baby in while you hold your baby and have pictures taken in. You have the right to take this special outfit home to save and dress your baby in another one for burial. You have the right to name your baby. You have the right to be with supportive family and friends as much as possible throughout the time you spend in/at the hospital. You have the right to share your needs and have them effeciently met by hospital staff. You have the right to take as many pictures as you want before and after your child's death. You have the right to spend time alone with your child. You have the right to have family and friends spend time with you and the child. You have the right to have the hospital chaplain visit you or to have your own clergy person contacted for you. You have the right to observe cultural practices, religious and/or personal beliefs such as a farewell ritual, naming ceremony and burial preparation and service. You have the right to request an autopsy or not to have one performed. You have the right to have information given to you about the grieving process. You have the right to be given information about resources such as support groups, counseling, etc. You have the right to be tolerant of your physical and emotional needs and limits. You have the right to respect what your mind and body are telling you. You have the right to feel the way you are feeling at this time and any time during the grieving process. You have the right to go through many different feelings and emotions.

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