If you’ve received the heartbreaking news that your child has a life-limiting condition and may not survive long after birth, know that Allegheny Health Network (AHN) is here to guide you through what happens next.
Together we’ll develop a birth plan, support you through any additional complications, and speak to you about our palliative care for babies. You’re dealing with emotions that no parent should have to feel. As you move forward in your pregnancy and plan for an unbearable outcome, we’ll decide on ways to honor your child and help you find peace in the midst of heartbreak.
Your OB-GYN or maternal-fetal medicine physician will deliver the news that your child has a life-limiting condition. Unfortunately, this can happen at any stage of a pregnancy, and complications vary from patient to patient. Once a life-limiting diagnosis is made, your doctor will refer you to Olivia’s Angels Perinatal Palliative Care Program.
Once you’re referred to our program, a care team member will reach out to you. Our holistic approach brings together a variety of specialists to deliver the best possible care, including your maternal-fetal medicine physician, genetic specialists, neonatal clinicians, nurses, and bereavement services.
During your first appointment, your perinatal palliative care team will get to know you, answer any and all questions, and talk about what to expect — from pregnancy to birth to finding your way forward.
As you work with your care team, we’ll discuss resources available, including:
It is said that we grieve because we love — and our team understands just how
deeply you love your child. We’ll do our best to honor your wishes so that you
can cherish your time together as a family.
On October 2, 1999, Susan and Dan Bevevino welcomed their daughter, Olivia. They said their hardest goodbyes just a few hours later.
With a belief that something good had to come from their experience, the Bevevinos made a substantial contribution to AHN West Penn Hospital. In doing so, they’ve named our program after their daughter: Olivia’s Angels Perinatal Palliative Care Program.
The Bevevinos hope that their gift supports other families as they navigate unthinkable choices and cope with grief, shock, and the post-traumatic stress that comes with losing a child.
If you’re a physician looking to refer a patient into the program, call (412) 578-3951. Or, within EPIC, make an ambulatory referral to perinatology (MFM)/prenatal genetics.
If you need to schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN or Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist, call (412) DOCTORS (412) 362-8677.
