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

Dr Peter Jackson on graduation day accompanied (L-R) by Dr Tamara Escañuela Sánchez and Professor Keelin O'Donoghue

21 Mar 2024

Dr Peter Jackson conferred with Master of Public Health

Congratulations to Dr Peter Jackson who was conferred with a Master of Public Health at UCC today.

21 Mar 2024

Congratulations to Dr Tamara Escañuela Sánchez on her graduation

Our warmest congratulations to Dr Tamara Escañuela Sánchez who was conferred with her PhD during the UCC College of Medicine and Health Spring Conferring Ceremony held at Devere Hall on 21 March 2024.

Professor Keelin O'Donoghue speaking at the Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Early Pre-term Birth Conference. Photo: Dr Rachel McClelland

11 Mar 2024

Latest research in recurrent pregnancy loss presented at Queen’s University Belfast

The Advances in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Extreme Pre-term Birth Conference was held at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University Belfast (and online) on Friday 08 March 2024. The conference featured world-leading researchers and clinicians from the UK, Ireland and Europe, discussing the latest research in recurrent pregnancy loss and extreme pre-term birth. Professor Keelin O’Donoghue provided an overview of findings of the Health Research Board-funded RE:CURRENT Project – a national evaluation of recurrent miscarriage services in the Republic of Ireland – on behalf of the RE:CURRENT Team.

09 Mar 2024

PLRG members present at SPHeRE Network 10th Annual Conference

Dr Laura Linehan and Marita Hennessy PhD presented at the recent SPHeRE Network 10th Annual Conference during a parallel session on pregnancy and reproductive health, chaired by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue.

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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