Caring Hearts Perinatal Program

Helping families with seriously ill babies before birth.

Our Program

The Caring Hearts Perinatal Program is offered to expectant parents whose baby is diagnosed with a life-threatening condition before birth. Our perinatal program helps the expectant parents and families prepare for and cope with physical, emotional and spiritual issues through support and education at the time of diagnosis through the remainder of the pregnancy.

Perinatal Services

• Admission evaluation in the hospital, doctor's office or at home
• Development of a birthing plan that honors parents' wishes, through coordination with physicians/labor & delivery staff
• Assist you in creating special keepsakes and treasures prior to and after the baby's birth
• Links to your primary physician, clinics, specialty disciplines, community services and financial assistance programs
• 24-hour, 7 day a week on-call availability by a registered nurse
• Guidance for siblings and other children in the family
• Music and child life therapy
• Physician consultation for palliative (comfort) care and symptom control in the hospital and home
• Links to resources that help families cope during the pregnancy and after the birth of the baby
• Linkage to the Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network (WNYPBN)
  

Emotional Support

Our special connection to professional grief counselors at Life Transitions Center, Inc. allows our perinatal program to provide guidance to help you cope with the serious illness of your baby. We will:

• Honor cultural rituals and spiritual beliefs at birth and end-of-life, creating a comfortable, serene and peaceful environment, preserving dignity
• Help plan final arrangements, memorial services and precious good-bye's at the hospital or at home, as appropriate
• Provide bereavement counseling to parents and siblings
  

To Make a Referral Call (716) 359-8056

Referrals are accepted from a parent, physician or other healthcare professionals. The mother's primary physician or specialist will be contacted upon referral. In most cases, our services are covered by major health insurance plans.

The mission of Caring Hearts Perinatal Program is to provide support, education and guidance to expectant parents and families whose unborn child has a life-threatening illness.

Our program is administered by The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care and is supported by local foundations, fund raising efforts, memorials and private donations.

Please send contributions to:
Hospice Foundation of Western New York
225 Como Park Boulevard
Buffalo, New York 14227-1480

Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network

The Western New York Perinatal Bereavement Network (WNYPBN) is comprised of bereaved parents and healthcare professionals who promote standards of bereavement intervention through educational support, community programs and referral services to bereaved parents.

Click here for more information.