Pregnancy Loss Research Group | University College Cork

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

Collaborating with young people to develop pregnancy loss and infertility resources

The SPRING Project – Supporting Pregnancy & Reproductive Health Information for Teenagers – is a collaboration between the Pregnancy Loss Research Group and Transition Year Students at St Angela’s College, Cork. The team has developed an information booklet and other resources - centered around 12 key messages - to increase knowledge and awareness of pregnancy loss amongst young people in secondary schools.

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New miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage information resources

Suite of resources now available to improve the care of people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage. They include information booklets, multi-lingual videos, an emergency room checklist, a clinic letter template and case studies. These were developed as part of the Health Research Board-funded RE:CURRENT study in collaboration with people with lived experience, health professionals and decision-makers in the maternity services.

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How can we better support workers who experience pregnancy loss?

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 view/download the final report and policy brief which include details of the nine recommendations made.

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Better care for recurrent miscarriage in Ireland

The RE:CURRENT project evaluated recurrent miscarriage (RM) services in Ireland to inform efforts to standardise and improve the quality of these services. The project was funded by the Health Research Board and is showcased in their latest edition of Health Research in Action. Read more about what the project involved, and its outcomes and impacts to date.

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Why don't we talk about pregnancy loss?

We 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 use this resource to advocate for enhanced structures, supports and resourcing for pregnancy loss, and encourage others to use it also.

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Why My Baby Died

Involving bereaved parents in their baby’s care and in the maternity hospital reviews that take place after a baby’s death can help parents manage their bereavement and plan for the future. In 2021, we interviewed 20 bereaved parents, about their experience and views, to investigate how they could be involved in maternity hospital perinatal death reviews in ways that benefit them and the review process itself. This graphic narrative – “Why my baby died” – tells their story, in their own words.

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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

Anne-Marie Farrell presenting a poster titled "Assessing accuracy of online information about reduced fetal movement: Google search analysis" at BMFMS 2025 in Belfast

18 May 2025

BMFMS Annual Conference 2025

The British Maternity and Fetal Medicine Society (BMFMS) Annual Conference 2025 was held at the ICC in Belfast on 08-09 May.

Transition Year students at St Angela's College Cork who participated in the Pregnancy Loss Elective, pictured with their teacher Ms Shelly Whelan and Dr Laura Linehan, Consultant Obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital and Co-Lead of the SPRING Project

16 Apr 2025

Knowledge is power: Researchers team up with local secondary school to co-create resources to increase awareness of pregnancy loss

Last night, an event was held in St Angela’s College, Cork to mark the end of the first year of the SPRING project, a project which aims to increase knowledge and awareness of pregnancy loss amongst young people in secondary schools.

Anne-Marie Farrell being conferred with her Master's in Public Health by Professor John O'Halloran, President of UCC

15 Apr 2025

Congratulations to Anne-Marie Farrell

Our warmest congratulations to Anne-Marie Farrell who was conferred with her Master’s in Public Health during the UCC College of Medicine and Health Spring Conferring Ceremony held at Devere Hall on 28 March 2025.

14 Apr 2025

All-Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2025

The All-Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2025 took place in Dublin and online on 08 April. It featured inspirational speakers on policy, management and organisation, professional education and new research.

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.