Hi Carmen,

A few years ago this type of request came to us in Pathology and through some
growing pains a policy was established to allow the parents to do excactly
what you
are describing. Our duty is just to get the foetus ready by washing the
formalin off
and bring the colour back in alcohol. A nurse will pick up the foetus and
do the
rest. If you want I can send you our policy, when I go back to work on Monday.

Katri

Katri Tuomala
Anatomic Pathology
St.Joseph's Hospital
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Buttigieg Carmen at MOH wrote:

> Histonetters
>
> Here in Malta, I work in the only major hospital there is, which is run
>by the
> Government. We need to set up a policy regarding access to foetuses. We
>have had
> requests from the Maternity wards to allow parents to take pictures of the
> foetuses which have been in formalin. They are not a pretty sight.
> Their request is, that we allow a nurse to dress up the foetus, leaving
>just the
> face and hands showing. Then the nurse takes the foetus to the parents
>who would
> take the photo.
> Are these things allowed in your hospitals?
> Is it the logical thing to do?
> Is it humane?
>
> Please, I need some feedback.
>
> Carmen
> St. Luke's Hospital
> Malta