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.

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

Congratulations to Samantha Ingham, final year medical student at UCC, who won two awards for her work at the reimagined Junior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (JOGS) Annual Scientific Meeting 2023. Samantha was awarded ‘Best Medical Student Presentation’ and ‘Second Runner Up Oral Presentation’ overall.

On 23 February, members of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group showcased a wide range of research at the reimagined Junior Obstetrics and Gynaecology Society (JOGS) Annual Scientific Meeting 2023. The 35^th anniversary of Society's founding was also celebrated at the event.

A report commissioned by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY), and authored by researchers at University College Cork and the University of Galway, has recommended that a statutory right to paid leave should be introduced for pre-viability pregnancy loss – regardless of the gestational stage or the reason for the loss.

In November, members of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group attended and presented posters at the Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU) Annual Scientific Meeting in the UK. Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Dr Deirdre Hayes Ryan, Dr Laura Linehan and Dr David Synnott shared recent work from the Group on recurrent miscarriage, infertility, ectopic pregnancy and biochemistry and molecular science / molar pregnancy.

A paper led by Dr Peter Jackson has won the Health Service Executive (HSE) Open Access Research Award in the Acute Care and Hospitals category. Titled ‘Fatal fetal anomaly: Experiences of women and their partners’, this paper explores the care experiences of parents whose pregnancy was diagnosed with a fatal fetal anomaly following the legalisation of termination of pregnancy in 2019 in Ireland. Congratulations to Peter, and his supervisors – Dr Stacey Power-Walsh, Dr Rebecca Dennehy and Professor Keelin O'Donoghue – on this award!

On 28 November, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Ruadh Kelly-Harrington, Marita Hennessy PhD and Professor Mary Donnelly (School of Law) briefed members of the Oireachtas on the findings of the PLACES Project on behalf of the research team.

At an ordinary meeting of Cork City Council, held on 09 October – the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023, members considered and approved a motion calling on Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly to improve and standardise miscarriage care and services nationally.

Members of the PLRG attended the Hospice Friendly Hospitals Maternity & Perinatal Loss Network Meeting 2023 on Wednesday 08 November in Dublin – the first meeting held since the COVID-19 pandemic began.