Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

We lead national research to better understand pregnancy loss experiences and impacts, and the development of resources and evidence-based advice and interventions, to improve health care (quality) and health and social outcomes for women, babies and their families.

Research spotlights

PLACES report published

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned the Pregnancy Loss Research Group to examine the workplace experiences and support needs of people who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks gestation. Read more about the PLACES project, and resulting report which was published by Minister Roderic O'Gorman TD on January 26, 2024.

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Share your feedback

In June last year we published our first graphic narrative - Why my baby died. We'd really like to hear what you think about it. We have put a feedback form on our website; please share your thoughts if you can. Your feedback will help us to develop this work and other similar projects as part of our efforts to improve experiences and outcomes.

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Why don't we talk about pregnancy loss?

We have produced an infographic to enhance advocacy and awareness around pregnancy loss - including key statistics and information for Ireland. Launched during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023, we will use this resource to advocate for enhanced structures, supports and resourcing for pregnancy loss, and hope it will be useful to others also.

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The difference our work makes

Read our case study: Informing national clinical guidelines in pregnancy loss

The updated guidelines on different aspects of pregnancy loss – and the first national guideline on recurrent miscarriage – are an important step in standardising and enhancing services nationally.

Professor Keelin O'Donoghue

Clinical Lead for Guideline Development (Maternity and Gynaecology), NWIHP, and Lead, Pregnancy Loss Research Group

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Pregnancy loss supports

About our website

Through our website, we aim to share pregnancy loss research with a wide range of people, including researchers, health and social care professionals, people who have experienced pregnancy loss, policy-makers and many more. There are organisations and initiatives across Ireland, and beyond, which provide support services around different aspects and types of pregnancy loss. We include details of these on this website for your information.

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News and Media

02 May 2024

New national clinical guidelines on ectopic pregnancy and reduced fetal movements published

New national clinical guidelines on the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy, and reduced fetal movements, were launched at the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP) National Midwifery Conference on 02 May 2024.

Dr Daniel Nuzum delivering his invited talk at the Children’s Palliative Care Conference 2024. Photo: Conference organisers

30 Apr 2024

Dr Daniel Nuzum highlights the importance of perinatal palliative care and spirituality at All Island Children’s Palliative Care Conference

Dr Daniel Nuzum was invited speaker at the 6th All Island Children’s Palliative Care Conference, presenting on ‘Perinatal palliative care: spirituality, care and memory’.

Pictured following Caroline’s successful viva defense, L-R: Dr Collette Hand, Prof Tommie McCarthy, Caroline Joyce, Dr Christianne Lok, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue

24 Apr 2024

Congratulations to Caroline Joyce on successfully defending her PhD!

Congratulations to Caroline Joyce who successfully defended her PhD thesis titled “Evaluation of biomarkers for the diagnosis, management and follow-up of women with gestational trophoblastic disease” on Friday, 19 April.

Fiona Steed, Chief Health and Social Care Professionals Officer in the Department of Health, introducing Susan Dineen, Medical Scientist at CUH, at the National HSCP Day event held at CUH. Photo: CUH HSCP

23 Apr 2024

Susan Dineen showcases the development of a novel perinatal specialist medical scientist programme at CUH National HSCP Day event

On Wednesday 17 April, a showcase marking National Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP) Day 2024, was held at Cork University Hospital (CUH). Susan Dineen, Specialist Medical Scientist in Perinatal Pathology at Cork University Hospital (CUH) and PLRG member, spoke about the development of a novel perinatal specialist medical scientist programme, on behalf of the perinatal pathology team.

Acknowledgement

This website was developed through the support of an Irish Research Council New Foundations Award, with the Irish Hospice Foundation as civic society partner.

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