Most women have a normal, healthy pregnancy. But sometimes health complications can affect the outcome for both the mother and baby.

Miscarriage

One of the most common complications in early pregnancy is spontaneous miscarriage. A miscarriage is defined as the loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation. It is often an emotionally distressing event. Hospital staff can support you and your family during your experience of miscarriage and Pastoral Care can be available for all women of any gestation by asking your health care team to contact the Pastoral Care services.

Bleeding in early pregnancy

If you have any bleeding during your pregnancy contact your midwife, doctor, or the hospital immediately so that appropriate tests and treatment can be started.

When a baby dies

Pregnancy loss can occur at any time, from very early in the pregnancy through to babies that die soon after birth. Despite advances in medicine and technology, a small percentage of pregnancies end prematurely, often for unknown reasons.

The Perinatal Loss Service at KEMH can offer you support and advice including practical support and referral to community supports as needed.

Grief Support

Guiding Light - Red Nose Grief and Loss (external site)

The Pink Elephants Support Network (external site)

Bears of Hope - Miscarriage Brochure (external site)

Emergency mental health contacts

In case of an emergency or crisis please dial 000 or visit your nearest Emergency Department.

Mental Health Emergency Response Line (MHERL)
24-hour telephone service for people in the Perth metropolitan area experiencing a mental health crisis.

Metro telephone: 1300 555 788 (local call)
Peel telephone:1800 676 822 (free call)

Rurallink
Rurallink is an after-hours telephone service for people in rural and regional Western Australia experiencing a mental health crisis.
Rural and regional telephone: 1800 552 002 (operates 4.30pm to 8.30am weeknights, 24 hours on weekends and public holidays).