Post mortem examination - an explanation for families

This information is for families whose baby has died at the Royal Women’s Hospital. While some of the information will be relevant to families elsewhere, not all hospitals follow the same procedures.

Why we offer post mortem

The purpose of a post mortem examination is to find out as much as possible about why your baby died or about the diagnosis you were given. The examination involves an assessment of your baby by a medical specialist known as a perinatal pathologist. Perinatal pathologists have experience and training specifically in post mortems of babies. Your baby will always be treated with the utmost care and respect. A post mortem examination of any type cannot be done at the Royal Women’s Hospital without your consent. Your decision must be recorded on the hospital consent form even if you do not want any type of post mortem. In certain circumstances, a death must be referred to the coroner. In this situation it is the coroner’s responsibility to arrange the post mortem investigation. This is uncommon and would always be discussed with you prior to occurring. A post mortem is carried out as soon as possible after the death of your baby. This is usually within one to two working days.

The different types of a post mortem

The amount of information that can come from a post mortem depends upon the type of post mortem chosen.

The types of post mortem are:

Full post mortem

A perinatal pathologist conducts a full external and full internal examination of your baby. The internal examination is a surgical procedure where the pathologist carefully removes all of the baby’s internal organs and brain. The organs are examined very thoroughly before being returned to the body (unless you have requested otherwise). Small tissue samples are taken for analysis and stored. This process provides the most complete assessment and the most detailed information, though it is still possible that it may not provide a specific cause of death.

Limited post mortem

A perinatal pathologist conducts a full external examination and limited internal examination in specific areas of interest. You will decide, in consultation with your doctor, which organs are to be examined. Small tissue samples are taken for microscopic analysis and stored.

External post mortem

A perinatal pathologist conducts a full external examination only. There is no internal examination or tissue sampling. All types of examination may include x-rays, MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging - which gives a detailed internal image) and photographs.

No post mortem

You can choose not to have any type of formal examination of your baby by a perinatal pathologist.