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

Join our team!

We are currently inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher – Knowledge Broker to support knowledge translation for academic research projects and community-based activities across women’s health services in Ireland, under the aegis of the National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP). This is a two-year, full-time position.

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We want to hear from you

Have you had a non-identical twin pregnancy in the Republic of Ireland in the last three years? We want to hear about your care experience. Take part in our survey: https://tinyurl.com/twincare

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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

Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Amy Lauren and Marita Hennessy photographed with the ‘Why my baby died’ exhibition at the Graphic Medicine 2024 Conference in Athlone. Photo credit: Nathan Cafolla, TUS Athlone

21 Jul 2024

Bringing pregnancy loss out of the shadows at the 15th International Graphic Medicine Conference in Athlone

The 15th International Graphic Medicine Conference took place at the Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) Athlone from 16-18 July. Attended by Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Dr Brendan Fitzgerald and Marita Hennessy PhD, the event explored how to communicate complex medical information through comics and art, and included work from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group.

14 Jul 2024

PLRG members present at the International Conference on Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy in Boston

Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Dr Alex Dakin attended and presented at the 28th International Conference on Prenatal Diagnosis and Therapy, held in Boston from 07-10 July 2024.

12 Jul 2024

Join our team! Currently recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher – Knowledge Broker

Dr Laura Linehan receiving her award from Professor Yvonne Nolan, Vice Head of Graduate Studies, and Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health and Chief Academic Officer to the HSE South South West Hospital Group

26 Jun 2024

Congratulations to Dr Laura Linehan on winning Postgraduate Researcher of the Year award

Congratulations to Dr Laura Linehan who was a joint winner of the UCC College of Medicine and Health Postgraduate Researcher of the Year 2024 Award. This award recognises outstanding contribution by a postgraduate research student in their research field.

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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