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

Take part in our parent focus groups

We are inviting parents to join a group discussion in a focus group format about perinatal death reviews that happen in maternity units and hospitals in Ireland.

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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

Dr Emily O’Connor, winner of the SPHeRE 2025 Best Poster Presentation Award, pictured with Professor Sara Burke (SPHeRE Programme Co-Director) and Professor Keelin O’Donoghue. Photo credit: David Coleman

19 Mar 2025

Focusing on translating research to health policy and system change at the SPHeRE Network 11th Annual Conference

Members of the PLRG attended and presented at the SPHeRE Network 11th Annual Conference at the RCSI on 04 March 2025. The conference examined how research can and does influence health policy and system reform, very much in line with our ethos at the PLRG.

12 Mar 2025

Celebrating International Women’s Day with students and staff at St Angela’s College

On Friday 07 March, members of the PLRG celebrated International Women's Day 2025 with the students and staff of St Angela’s College, Cork, collaborators on the SPRING project. Dr Laura Linehan, Dr Brendan Fitzgerald and Susan Dineen attended the event.

Pictured L-R, Cormac Fitzgerald, President, Kinsale Lions Club; Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician, Cork University Maternity Hospital and Lead, Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG); Marie Gleeson, Former Navy Captain and Motivational Speaker; Marita Hennessy, Researcher, PLRG. Picture: John Allen

23 Feb 2025

“Leadership, Loss and Life”: An inspirational leadership evening with Marie Gleeson

Over 300 people gathered in Kinsale on Thursday, 20 February for an inspirational leadership evening with Marie Gleeson, former Irish Navy Captain and motivational speaker. Hosted by the Kinsale Lions Club in collaboration with Kinsale Community School and the Cork University Foundation at UCC, the event brought together distinguished guests, media representatives, and community leaders. Proceeds from the event will support the vital work of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group.

Pictured L-R, TEARDROP Faculty: Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Orla O’Connell, Susan Dineen, Dr Sara Leitao, Dr Daniel Nuzum, Dr Jessica White, Niamh Howard-Jones, Fidelma Harrington, Caroline O’Connor, Dr Emily O’Connor, Anne-Marie Farrell, Róisín O’Connor and Bríd O’Sullivan. Missing from photo: Dr Laura Linehan, Dr Margaret Murphy and Dr Änne Helps

18 Feb 2025

Fifth TEARDROP Workshop held at CUMH

Forty-six people from across the South West, Mid West and Saolta Health Regions completed TEARDROP training at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH) on Friday 14 February. This was the fifth TEARDROP workshop held at CUMH and the seventh held nationally, as two workshops have been delivered by the Saolta Group since its roll-out in 2023. To date, around 300 health professionals have completed TEARDROP training across both hospital groups.

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.