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Baby Loss Awareness Week – raising awareness and advocating for improvements
Driving evidence-informed change in policy and practice is a core part of our work at the Pregnancy Loss Research Group. As Baby Loss Awareness Week begins, we wish to take the opportunity to highlight some of the activities that we will be engaging in over the course of the week – as part of our ongoing efforts to effect change around all forms of pregnancy and infant loss.
You can join us in our efforts in various ways:
1. Read and share our Awareness & Advocacy policy brief
Highlighting relevant statistics and evidence, this policy brief calls for:
- Routine recording and reporting data on miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and molar pregnancy
- Development and implementation of a national care bundle for stillbirths
- Implementation of a confidential inquiry
- Integration of pregnancy loss into national strategies, polices, reports and action plans.
2. Visit our 'Why my baby died' exhibition on the fifth floor of Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH)
First exhibited at the International Graphic Medicine Conference earlier this year, 'Why my baby died' highlights what is needed to meaningfully involve bereaved parents in perinatal death review processes. It is based on research with bereaved parents led by Dr Änne Helps. The exhibition will run throughout the week and beyond on the glass corridor.
3. ‘Meet the staff’ involved in bereavement care following pregnancy loss and perinatal death
In a series of videos developed as part of the implementation of the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death, meet some of the people that work as part of, or with, Bereavement Specialist Teams, and learn more about their roles and the work that they do. View videos on the national Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland website,
4. Meet members of our team at information stand in the foyer of CUMH
From 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm each day, learn more about pregnancy and infant loss and bereavement care, and pick up copies of our latest information resources, policy briefs and clinical guidelines.
5. Learn more about supporting workers who experience pregnancy loss at Grand Rounds on Friday 11 October
At the Ireland South Women and Infants Directorate Grand Rounds on Friday 11 October, hear from Marita Hennessy PhD about how to better support people who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks gestation at work, including colleagues. Marita will present findings and recommendations from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth-funded PLACES project. Grand Rounds takes place from 07.30 to 08:00 am in-person at CUMH or online.
6. Attend our Study Day on Friday 11 October
From 09:15 am to 1:30 pm, the Pregnancy Loss Research Group will host a study day to showcase our latest research in pregnancy and infant loss. Topics covered will include stillbirth risk factors, miscarriage, communication, home blood testing for hCG, Coroners and perinatal death investigations, perinatal deaths in twin pregnancies, support for healthcare professionals, and much more! Register via HSELand.
7. Join us at the Annual CUMH Service of Remembrance on Friday 11 October
Our annual CUMH Service of Remembrance will be on Friday 11 October at 7:30pm in the Sacred Heart Church, Western Road, Cork. All are welcome to attend this multi-denominational service.
8. Take part in the Global Wave of Light on Tuesday 15 October
Wherever you are, join the global Wave of Light at 7pm (Irish time) on Tuesday 15 October. Along with other buildings across the country and globe, CUMH will light up in blue and pink to initiate conversations about pregnancy and infant loss.
9. Support activities across our various social media channels
Connect with us and help us to share key messages and the latest news and updates throughout the week and beyond:
- Instagram: pregnancylossresearchgroup
- LinkedIn: Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG)
- Twitter / X: @PregnancyLossIE.
It’s okay to not take part in Baby Loss Awareness Week too
We would also like to acknowledge that it’s okay to not take part in Baby Loss Awareness Week too. Some people may find it difficult or may not feel ready or able to take part. There is no right or wrong way to act. You may find it helpful to opt out of certain email listings, mute related social media accounts, or take time away from online activities in general.
For information and support, please see the national website www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie.
More about Baby Loss Awareness Week
Now in its 22nd year, Baby Loss Awareness Week aims to raise awareness about pregnancy and baby loss and to advocate for improvements in care and support and preventive efforts. It runs from Wednesday 09 October to Tuesday 15 October 2024.