Footprints Perinatal Program 

If your baby is diagnosed with a life-limiting condition before or shortly after birth, St. Elizabeth is here to stand alongside you with support and guidance. The Footprints Perinatal Program offers palliative care planning that begins during your pregnancy and focuses on medical decision making, emotional support and comfort. 

Your wishes take top priority. We want to minimize your fear and uncertainty and enable you to embrace whatever time you may have with your baby, during or after pregnancy. We work with you to develop a care plan that addresses your goals during pregnancy, delivery and after your baby’s birth. Your plan also addresses the inevitable loss and helps you create memories to honor your baby and celebrate your time together. 

Support Services

Support through the Footprints Perinatal Program begins as soon as you find out your baby faces a life-limiting condition, and continues through your pregnancy, delivery and beyond. 

We’re here to help by providing: 

• Access to resources and referrals as needed
• Advocacy for your wishes during and after pregnancy
• Assistance with making medical decisions
• Counseling for you and your family 
• Education, including specific information about your baby’s diagnosis
• Emotional support
• Guidance for you and other family members on what to expect throughout the grieving process
• Help with the creation of memories and keepsakes 
• Preparation for meeting your baby, and understanding what limitations may be present at birth
• Pastoral care as requested
• Plan of care for your baby, which may include medical interventions as needed in the home, hospital or eventually with the support of hospice care 

You Are Not Alone

Experiencing perinatal loss or the loss of a newborn is one of the most difficult things you will endure. You are not on this journey alone. Other parents who have been in your place can help you find meaning in your loss and offer hope for the weeks and years ahead. 

Counselors who specialize in perinatal loss can also help. The Mary and Jim Bunning Community Grief Support Center provides individual, family and group grief counseling to help you through this experience. The Center is free and open to all in our community who face the loss of a loved one.

Contact a St. Elizabeth Hospice Bereavement Coordinator to arrange a consultation at (859) 301-4611 or james.ellis@stelizabeth.com.