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Bereavement

Death of 12 day old Grandson

(53 Posts)
Mandy45 Thu 26-Sept-24 11:47:46

Hi my daughter gave birth to my grandson after 23 weeks 4 days gestation, he survived for 12 days in the NICU.
My daughter has a supportive partner.
It is now a week since the baby died.
My daughter won't allow us to call to see her, refuses to discuss anything about a funeral,although I do know a funeral director has been.
She is so angry, and I'm at a loss as to how to help her. I'm grieving for my grandson and hurting for my daughter, any advice would be appreciated as how to help my daughter and myself.

Sparklefizz Thu 26-Sept-24 18:02:39

Mandy My heart goes out to you and your family. I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending you love and a hug. flowers

SueDonim Thu 26-Sept-24 18:11:34

I’m so sorry, Mandy. It’s a tragedy to lose a baby and no words can really help. Your daughter and her partner will be licking their wounds right now and it will take time before they feel they can begin to engage with life again. flowers

Grandmadinosaur Thu 26-Sept-24 18:12:50

That is so unbelievably sad Mandy. My heart goes out to you and your family 💐

Calipso Thu 26-Sept-24 18:23:04

This must be unbelievably hard for you Mandy45.

There is no one way to grieve and anger is a recognised and understandable stage in that process. Give them time and space and show your love in practical ways - drop off a meal for them perhaps, but respect their need to be alone right now. I'm so very sorry for you all in your loss flowers

Sarnia Thu 26-Sept-24 18:23:24

I worked on a Delivery Suite for 17 years and one of my jobs was to work as the Bereavement midwife's assistant making sure all the paperwork was available and up-to-date. I am assuming you are in the UK. If you are there is a brilliant organisation called SANDS (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society). On discharge your daughter should have been given details about them. There are leaflets for grandparents, other children, work colleagues etc. Of course, reading leaflets is the last thing the parents want to do when faced with the heartbreak of losing their baby but in time and it has to be their time, the day may come when they want to reach out for SANDS and meet others who have experienced the same torment. You could Google them for help for yourself. They are a nationwide organisation and very experienced inn helping bereaved families. I am so sorry for you all. flowers

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Thu 26-Sept-24 19:24:10

Beyond heartbreaking. 💐

pinkprincess Thu 26-Sept-24 20:07:05

My thoughts are with you Mandy45
21 years ago I had a grandson who was born alive at 20 weeks gestation.He fought to live but had to give up after 25 minutes.
The situation was a bit awkward as I was unaware of his existence until his birth and death.
He was still my grandson though.

AskAlice Thu 26-Sept-24 20:28:24

Thinking of you and your family at this sad time. flowers

LilyoftheValley Thu 26-Sept-24 20:30:04

Such very sad news. Dear little mite.

Marydoll Thu 26-Sept-24 21:08:49

I have no advice, just wanted to send my best wishes.

My friend's grandson died in similar circumstances a year ago. His DLL had already lost three babies previously.

Yesterday a different DIL gave birth to a boy,. A truly bittersweet moment.

Life is so cruel.

Ladyleftfieldlover Thu 26-Sept-24 21:22:25

Mandy45🌹

Jaxjacky Thu 26-Sept-24 22:18:37

I don’t have advice, this must be so very hard for you all xx

cornergran Thu 26-Sept-24 22:43:04

I’m so sorry mandy. There has been good advice here, I’ll just send my love to you all.

Allira Thu 26-Sept-24 23:01:16

Sarnia

I worked on a Delivery Suite for 17 years and one of my jobs was to work as the Bereavement midwife's assistant making sure all the paperwork was available and up-to-date. I am assuming you are in the UK. If you are there is a brilliant organisation called SANDS (Stillborn and Neonatal Death Society). On discharge your daughter should have been given details about them. There are leaflets for grandparents, other children, work colleagues etc. Of course, reading leaflets is the last thing the parents want to do when faced with the heartbreak of losing their baby but in time and it has to be their time, the day may come when they want to reach out for SANDS and meet others who have experienced the same torment. You could Google them for help for yourself. They are a nationwide organisation and very experienced inn helping bereaved families. I am so sorry for you all. flowers

SANDS has a garden at the National Aboretum in Staffordshire too. Yes, they can be very supportive of parents or any other relatives who feel the need for their help.

I am so very sorry for your loss, Mandy45
Your daughter and son-in-law may seek your help in the coming weeks, it must be so difficult for them and for you too at the present time.

maddyfour Fri 27-Sept-24 00:07:02

I am so, so sorry for your whole family. I can only send love to you all flowers

nanna8 Fri 27-Sept-24 01:43:35

This is such a sad time for all of you. I would leave her in her grief, it may not be real to her yet and I would think in time she will be able to accept condolences. It is good her partner is supportive, he will help her. We all grieve differently and I wouldn’t take it personally.She maybe just can’t deal with any people just now.

Whiff Fri 27-Sept-24 06:53:05

Mandy you are all going through so much heart break especially your daughter and partner. You have to want until your daughter is ready to talk to you she knows how much you love her and are grieving yourself. Just give them the time and space they need. Others on this thread and missing someone thread have had children died so know what your daughter is going through. And as much as you want to help you can't . The death of a children no matter how long they live or if stillborn or miscarry it's something no parent ever gets over. My mom never got over miscarrying her first baby until dementia made her forget she was 90 when she died and the miscarriage happened when she was 26.

Time doesn't heal but gives you time to come to terms what has happened. Your daughter will let you know what she needs and when. 🌹

Oreo Fri 27-Sept-24 09:43:36

So sorry Mandy45 tragic situation.💐
I would have wanted Mum to comfort me but we’re all different and have our own ways of dealing with things. Your DD needs space and time to process what’s happened and has a partner to help her.Just let her know that you’re there for her.
If you live local, take some cooked meals around, they still need to eat and won’t feel like cooking.

paddyann54 Fri 27-Sept-24 10:45:51

With all due respect Oreo you don’t know how you,ll be until it happens to you .Mandy just needs to know how her daughter and SIL are dealing with it is normal for them and to give them time and space to come to terms with it,
Nowadays people think babies don’t die,they plan baby showers half way through a pregnancy and buy cots and prams and outfits for months ahead ,it’s very sad but maybe we/they should be aware that many pregnancies don’t go full term even in the 21st century .Every pregnancy has risks sadly we don’t realise that until it happens to us

Allira Fri 27-Sept-24 10:48:56

Sadly, yes, paddyann for many reasons.
😥

emmasnan Fri 27-Sept-24 11:04:24

I'm so sorry, I have sadly had experience of this as a grandparent.
Just be there for your daughter when she's ready and follow her lead in how she wants to deal with things.
She may not want to talk about the baby at first.
Allow yourself to grieve in what ever way feels right. I needed time to myself to start with.
Love to you all x

Macadia Fri 27-Sept-24 11:18:08

Mandy, I am very sad to read your post and my love and prayers go out to you and your family and especially the saddened, (angry, as you say), grieving mother, your dear daughter. Grief has many layers and she will be going through so many of them. Her poor husband is really going to have a tough time as well. I don't know why such awful things happen or why parents and grandparents must be dealt such tragic happenings but just give her the time she needs and try not to interfere since her grief might cause her to lash out at you, towards you, and maybe the whole world. Her husband's love will help her through. His grief is unimaginable too. I am sorry for your loss. Please be patient with your daughter and do take care of your own grief and give her all of the space and time she needs.

Caleo Fri 27-Sept-24 12:40:38

Mandy I'm sorry for your loss .

luluaugust Fri 27-Sept-24 17:59:09

Mandy so very sorry to hear your sad news

Athrawes Fri 27-Sept-24 18:21:35

I really feel for you and your family. Just thinking about my own twins who died shortly after birth still makes me want to cry even though I now have a lovely family with grandchildren.
My parents didn't know how to react and it was my friends who supported us and our local vicar. They were so helpful without being pushy.
A little later on I was fortunate in being invited to be part of SANDS and met up with others in this awful position. It helped enormously after feeling so alone and upset when seeing other mums and dads with their babies. When they feel ready they might find it worth contacting SANDS. It's a very helpful organisation.
Your family will never forget their loss but they eventually will appreciate that they are not alone and know you are there to provide support when they're ready.
The pain does ease eventually x