First steps following a stillbirth

If a miscarriage occurs, a child is born dead or the child dies immediately following delivery, it is important to speak to the attending physician or midwife, seek advice and allow sufficient time to come to terms with the event.

Parents can take as much time as they need to say goodbye to the child. Relatives also have the opportunity to get to know the child and say goodbye.

There is an option to have the child blessed or have an emergency baptism. More information about these options is available from the hospital chaplaincy.

If a child is born dead or dies immediately after birth, the authority responsible for civil status must be notified.

Home midwifery assistance is available for aftercare to help cope better with the grieving process. Midwifery assistance is a service provided by the health insurance providers. However, the costs for services that are outside the health insurance provider’s range of services must be borne in full by the patient.

Special grieving seminars are also available for expressing grief.

Information on the subject of ‘Work and financial matters relating to stillbirth/Stillborn Children’ can also be found on oesterreich.gv.at.

The burial options may be regulated differently depending on the federal province. Burial is mandatory for stillbirths in all federal provinces. In some federal provinces, this mandatory burial also applies to miscarriages.

If a child dies immediately following birth, there will be a probate procedure. In this case, you will receive a letter from a notary.

Further links

• "Stille Geburt" (Stillbirth) pamphlet (→ Bundeskanzleramt)
• Miscarriage and stillbirth (→ Gesundheitsportal)