Have you ever wondered what happens to babies that never make it to birth? Well, wonder no more because we have the answer. In this article, we will take a humorous look at the fate of unborns – those little beings who start life with so much promise but sadly don't get the chance to fulfill their potential.
Misfirings and mishaps in conception
Unfortunately, not all conceptions end up producing healthy fetuses. There are several biological factors why this might happen –
- Genetic abnormalities
- Hormonal imbalances
- Nutritional deficiencies
If any of these occur during pregnancy, it could lead to miscarriage or stillbirth.
Post-miscarriage rituals
For many cultures around the world, miscarriages are considered tragic events deserving proper mourning practices just like any other kinds of death rites. Check out some traditional ceremonies for coping with dead fetuses and infants:
| Culture | Ritual |
|---|---|
| Japan | Mizuko kuyō (水子供養) is a Japanese Buddhist ceremony done by mothers who’ve had abortions or miscarriages but also parents whose children have died young. It's believed that ritually taking care of aborted fetus spirits can keep them from becoming vengeful kami (神). |
| India | Various forms observed according to geographical location and traditions |
| Ghana | Dipo - A puberty rite performed soon after miscarriages/birth cessation which involves cleansing rituals for all family members as well as preparing food items made especially for mourning purpose |
Dark humour?
Understandably funerals/memorial services including offerings or lighting candles offers solace for an inexplicable loss of another soul before getting any time together on earth.
On top of ceremonial commemorations consider adopting gallows humor approach among friends/family/acquaintances in dealing with such unpalatable truth. Sometimes laughter is the greatest remedy.
Fetus disposition
In the past, fetus disposal was rather simple and straightforward since there weren't so many ethical considerations to make regarding terminations or stillbirths. Many cultures customarily treated this as even a non-issue by treating it in similar ways with adult corpses -
- Burial which can be either private/family plots/publlicly shared communal cemeteries.
- Cremation
- Dumping in mass graveyards
However, baby-like fetuses are now considered items for legal/ethical concern which has led to regulation requiring medical establishments to handle them respectfully such as not disposing of fetal remains in biowaste sharps containers; not flushing down the toilet etc.
Several countries like Canada and Great Britain have clear-cut policies on how hospitals need to manage pregnancy loss/fetal developments being diagnosed with chromosomes disorders prior (after counselling) resulting into abortions but also late terms having had congenital anomalies/disorders affecting viability majority times leading to still births(especially for female newborns)
To donate or not? That’s the question!
For parents who've lost their unborn child, deciding what should happen next sometimes presents an added emotional challenge when left with abundance of choices ranging from permission given towards advancing scientific knowledge(not everyone may find that comfortable – like use of stem cells)… alternative burial services making cherished memories tangible through photos framed/mounted alongside memorabilia e.g blankets/toys meant for infants that will never come home; memorial jewelry - wearable mementos apart from cremains extracted human milk jewellery/preserved locks-of-hair
So yes! What happens after death isn't just restricted mortality occurring among living adults’ dear ones.
It's your own personal choice ultimately
Whatever one chooses will depend largely on their cultural values/beliefs either religious based/non-religious based beliefs:-
| Belief | Outlook |
|---|---|
| Christian | Unborn is considered as an individual having the same value as human life. After a miscarriage, some hold special remembrance services and prayer vigils sometimes requesting a priest minister to discern spiritual causes leading to pregnancy loss |
| Islamic | Life begins at conception hence receive the full rights of born individual once detected starting from cleaning/wrapping them in ritual clothing - |
| "”There is no difference between how you perform ghusl on one who was fully formed or small – all need to be cleaned properly in preparation for burial.”-”Guidebook for Performing Muslim Rites before, during after Pregnancy Loss"], | |
| sometimes collection glass coffin-like jar (na'put)/carrying pouches into which placenta/other fetal tissue can be wrapped then placed alongside other family members of deceased within active cemeteries currently storing per country's body regulations |
Other cultures may not necessarily have specific rituals like these but might have nuances where families prefer not speaking about it especially avoid discussing details largely owing to grief; superstitions regarding changes that come including bad luck following a close relative experiencing such losses.
Conclusion
The fate of an unborn child cannot be predicted. In many cases, sadly they do not get the chance to live and grow into healthy babies. But it's good to note there remains acceptance filled with dignity increasingly among medical professionals towards sensitively handling children aborted or those still becoming developed - this being either through legal post-mortem certificates/guidelines available permitting parents towards following cultural beliefs while grieving respectfully thereby enabling them achieving necessary closure plus moving forward past tragedy. Therefore when faced with unexpected challenges arising amid pregnancies, never forget viable resources both by allowing grief/depression counseling sessions coupled with partner/spousal support networks coming up/coexist where feeling listened-to/together giving folks comfort joy necessary towards dealing optimally during hard times...and laughing hysterically too (Life-affirming trademark laughter)