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New research examining the workplace experiences of women and their partners who have had a pregnancy loss under 24 weeks’ of pregnancy
Led by Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, researchers from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at Cork University Maternity Hospital and University College Cork and University of Galway are examining workplace experiences of people who have had a pregnancy loss. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has commissioned the PLACES (Pregnancy Loss in Workplaces) project to establish whether policy interventions are required in the workplace to better support people following pregnancy loss under 24 weeks’ gestation.
Take part in our research
As part of this project, the research team would like to hear from women or men who have experienced a pregnancy loss, whilst in paid employment, in the last five years. A pregnancy loss can include ectopic pregnancy, molar pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or miscarriage, before 24 weeks’ gestation. Stillbirth is not included in this particular survey as people who experience stillbirth can avail of full statutory maternity or paternity leave entitlements.
If you would like to take part, please visit https://tinyurl.com/PLACES-Survey.
You will be asked to respond to an online survey which has questions about your pregnancy loss experience in your workplace. If you would like to, you can also sign up to take part in an interview where a member of the research team will ask you more questions and details about your experience.
*Update*: The survey closed on 24 April 2023. Many thanks to all who participated and/or shared the survey within their networks.
More about this research and the PLACES project
Pregnancy loss affects up to one in every four pregnancies, most occurring in the first 12 weeks. The loss of a pregnancy can have a devastating impact on women and their partners, and navigating the workplace at such a time can add further difficulties. In Ireland, mandatory paid time off work for pregnancy loss is only available to people who experience a stillbirth (which includes babies born after 24 weeks of pregnancy, or weighing ≥500g, and who show no signs of life), though some employers may provide paid leave in accordance with their own policies.
So far in the PLACES Project we have reviewed international legislation to see what laws other countries have around leave from work following pregnancy loss. We have also reached out to some companies in Ireland to find out about their policies regarding pregnancy loss. To add to our knowledge and understanding of what kind of leave or other supports are needed, we are now looking for participants to share their workplace experiences of pregnancy loss.
For more information or support
If you would like more information about the study, please contact Ruadh Kelly-Harrington at rkelly-harrington@ucc.ie.
For support around pregnancy loss please visit:
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Ireland: https://pregnancyandinfantloss.ie/
- Cork Miscarriage Information and Resources: https://www.corkmiscarriage.com/
- TheMiscarriage Association of Ireland: https://miscarriage.ie/
- Féileacáin: Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland: https://feileacáin.ie
- LMC Bereavement Support: https://lmcsupport.ie/