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Association of Early Pregnancy Units Annual Scientific Meeting 2026
The Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG) was well represented at the AEPU Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 which was held in Liverpool from 05-06 November 2026. Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan, Dr Sophie Boyd, Dr Olivia Lennon, Dr Órla Power and Dr Anthony Sheppard attended and presented a range of talks and posters from the Group across different areas of early pregnancy loss.
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue gave an invited plenary talk titled ‘Research to impact – making a difference in early pregnancy research’. In it she explored how the PLRG translates research into impact through improved clinical care, national guidelines, education, bereavement support and patient information, alongside public and political engagement. It highlighted the RE:CURRENT miscarriage care programme, workplace supports and proposed pregnancy-loss leave, alongside education and advocacy, developed with people with lived experience. The central message was the need for equitable, compassionate and consistently resourced pregnancy loss care, supported by better recognition, national data collection and sustained policy action.
In the short oral presentation session, Dr Sophie Boyd presented a new clinicopathological classification of second trimester pregnancy loss while Dr Órla Power shared results of a pilot pregnancy loss education intervention for medical students.
Congratulations to Órla for winning the Mitchell-Jones Prize for initiative shown to improve patient care, and to Dr Aoife Corcoran for winning 2nd Best Poster Prize for ‘The CODING Study: International variation in data recording practices for gestational trophoblastic disease’.
We also took the time to celebrate the appointment of Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan to the Scientific Committee of the AEPU, the first time that a representative from Ireland has been appointed to the AEPU Executive Committee.
Many thanks to all involved for another fantastic annual meeting, with lots of learning, thought-provoking discussion and networking.
We look look forward to attending next year’s meeting which will be held in Brighton from 04-05 November 2027.
PLRG Presentations at AEPU 2026
| Title | Authors | Related Project / Area |
|---|---|---|
| Plenary presentation | ||
| Research to impact: Making a difference |
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue | RE:CURRENT |
| Short oral presentations | ||
| Beyond gestational age: A clinicopathological classification of second trimester pregnancy loss | Sophie Boyd, Brendan Fitzgerald, Hadas Miremberg, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan, Keelin O'Donoghue | |
| Pregnancy loss education for medical students: Results of a pilot intervention | Órla Power, Marita Hennessy, Caroline O'Connor, Jennie Cronin, Keelin O'Donoghue | Miscarriage |
| Poster presentations | ||
| An audit of ultrasound diagnosed first trimester missed miscarriage in Cork University Maternity Hospital | Olivia Lennon, Louise Dooley, Joachim Knoetze, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Miscarriage |
| Development of an advanced midwifery practice service for women experiencing first trimester pregnancy loss | Niamh Howard-Jones, Marita Hennessy, Keelin O'Donoghue | Miscarriage |
| Early-pregnancy presentations to a maternity emergency department: Workload and pathways to ambulatory care | Vera Kelesidou, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan, Keelin O'Donoghue | Miscarriage |
| From access to aftercare: Evaluating women’s experiences of early pregnancy termination of pregnancy care at a tertiary maternity hospital | Kayleigh Lacerda, Marita Hennessy, Keelin O’Donoghue, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Termination of Pregnancy in Ireland |
| From diagnosis to management: An audit of tubal ectopic pregnancy care against national standards | Atinuke Oguntuase, Louise Dooley, Joachim Knoetze, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Ectopic pregnancy |
| From diagnosis to outcome: A one-year review of ultrasound-diagnosed first trimester incomplete miscarriage | Joachim Knoetze, Louise Dooley, Edel Nagle, Joshil Selva, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Miscarriage |
| Optimising first trimester inpatient care: An audit of medical management for miscarriage and medical termination of pregnancy | Anthony Sheppard, Redona Sahiti, Meghan O'Sullivan, Sophie Boyd, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | |
| The CODING Study: International variation in data recording practices for gestational trophoblastic disease | Aoife Corcoran, Caroline Joyce, Christianne Lok, John Coulter, Keelin O’Donoghue | CODING: Core Outcome Set in GTD |
| Viable, loss, or limbo? An audit of pregnancy of uncertain viability in the early pregnancy unit at Cork University Maternity Hospital | Aimi Rashid, Thinoshini Ramankutti, Louise Dooley, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | - |
Photo Gallery
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue presentating ‘Research to Impact: Making a difference...’ at the AEPU Annual Scientific Meeting 2026 in Liverpool
Dr Sophie Boyd presenting her paper ‘Beyond gestational age: A clinicopathological classification of second trimester pregnancy loss’
.jpg "Woman stepping down from a stage after accepting an award. Large screen to the left shows details of the award")
Dr Órla Power receiving the Mitchell-Jones Prize at AEPU 2026 for her work on pregnancy loss education for medical students
L-R: Dr Anthony Sheppard, Dr Sophie Boyd and Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan at AEPU 2026
Dr Olivia Lennon and Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan pictured at AEPU 2026 with their poster ‘An audit of ultrasound diagnosed first trimester missed miscarriage in Cork University Maternity Hospital’
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue presenting ‘The CODING Study: International variation in data recording practices for gestational trophoblastic disease’ poster on behalf of Dr Aoife Corcoran. The work was awarded the 2nd Best Poster Prize at the Meeting.
About the AEPU
The Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU) is a multiprofessional organisation representing over 200 Early Pregnancy Units (EPUs) across the UK. Its members include healthcare professionals who specialise in early pregnancy assessment, surveillance, and care. The AEPU is dedicated to setting and maintaning high standards in the care of women during early pregnancy. Founded in 1999, the AEPU holds an annual two-day conference at various locations across the UK. In recognition of its expertise, the AEPU was officially recognised by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) as a specialist society in 2008.