After the loss of a pregnancy or baby, you may wonder why it happened, or if it could happen again. The answers to those questions may affect how you grieve. They may also affect your future pregnancies. In some cases, a pathology exam may help answer these questions.
A pathology exam is a type of test that looks for possible causes of the pregnancy loss or newborn death, and other complicating factors of the pregnancy. You may hear different words to describe an exam of a body, organs, tissues or cells after a pregnancy loss or newborn death, including surgical pathology exam, post-mortem exam, or autopsy.
Exams are performed by specially trained doctors called pathologists, who examine the body, organs, tissues and cells to identify differences that may explain your pregnancy loss or newborn death.
These exams are not required; you can choose whether you want to have one. Choosing to have a pathology exam will not keep you from holding or spending time with your baby after delivery, or having funeral services for your baby. There are consent forms that you will sign to give the doctors permission to complete an exam; your doctor will go over these forms with you.
In some cases, genetic testing may be helpful. Your doctor can explain more about what testing might be right for your baby.
Types of Exams
There are different types of exams you can choose.
Surgical pathology exam
This is an option for babies delivered between 12 and 19 weeks gestation. During the exam, the pathologist will measure your baby’s body and examine the placenta and tissues under a microscope. The pathologist may order genetic tests.
Limited autopsy
This is an option for babies delivered at 20 weeks gestation or more, and who weigh more than 12 ounces. During the exam, the pathologist will only examine the parts of your baby that you request, and will examine your placenta under a microscope.
Full autopsy
This is an option for babies delivered at 20 weeks gestation or more, and who weigh more than 12 ounces. During the exam, the pathologist will do the following:
- Review your medical and pregnancy history
- Examine and measure your baby’s body
- Examine the inside of your baby’s head, chest, and abdomen
- Weigh and examine your baby’s organs
- Look at your baby’s tissues under a microscope
- Look at your placenta under a microscope
The pathologist may also take pictures or X-rays, and may order some genetic tests.
Your baby’s face, hands, arms and legs will not be affected by the exam. In most cases, you have still have an open casket funeral if that is what you would like to do.
Pathology Exam Results
The amount of time to get results depends on the type of exam your baby had. Results from surgical pathology exams may be available in 2-3 days. Short autopsy reports may also be available in 2-3 days, but the full report with all the details can take up to 2 months. Genetic testing can take several weeks, depending on the specific test.
Once the report is available, your doctor may call you to go over the results, or to schedule an appointment to review the report with you. You can get a copy of the report from medical records (501-603-1520).
Other Information
Some families have questions about costs. The cost of surgical pathology exams depends on the specific tests needed. There is no cost to UAMS families for autopsies.