In some cases you also have the option of light embalming or thanatopraxia, a method that does not require cooling. Unfortunately, thanatopraxia is not possible in premature babies (the water method gives a much nicer result) and in babies who have died in the abdomen and whose skin has been damaged. It is possible for full-term children. In thanatopraxia, a small incision of about 2 cm in the neck will be made. The carotid artery is then pulled upwards and liquid is injected. To remove the blood and other bodily fluids from the body, a small hole will be made in the abdomen, through which these fluids can be drained. This takes 1.5 to 2 hours and in most cases can take place at home (after autopsy it cannot take place at home). During the edible period, the liquid will slowly lose its effect. This is comparable to the anesthetic at the dentist. In the beginning, the decomposition completely stops and after a few days the liquid will start to lose its effect. This slowly restarts the natural decomposition process.
The advantage is that your baby does not feel cold, does not show discoloration, does not look sunken and you do not need cooling, so you can put your baby anywhere.
The disadvantage is that it is even more difficult to say goodbye because you hardly see that your baby has died. That may seem like an advantage, but we now know from experience that seeing and feeling death helps with the thought that your child can not stay with you forever.
Read the blog here about how Juliette said goodbye to her Félice and her positive experience with light embalming.