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PLRG @ the Association of Early Pregnancy Units Annual Scientific Meeting 2025
Members of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group attended and presented work at the AEPU Annual Scientific Meeting 2025 which was held at the Technology and Innovation Centre, Glasgow from 13-14 November 2025.
Niamh Howard-Jones, newly appointed Candidate Advanced Midwife Practitoner in Early Pregnancy Loss / Miscarriage Services, presented work from her recently-awarded MSc in Loss and Bereavement in two poster presentations.
Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan gave an oral presentation on her work at Cork University Maternity Hospital leading and developing Ireland’s first off-site Early Pregnancy Unit, alongside a range of posters across different areas of early pregnancy loss.
Professor Keelin O’Donoghue shared work from the RE:CURRENT project on developing an evidence-informed model of care for recurrent miscarriage in partnership with knowledge users, as well as broader work around national knowledge translation activities she is leading across different types of pregnancy loss.
Many thanks to all involved for a wonderful engaging event with lots of learning and networking. It was also a great opportunity to catch up with existing collaborators, including Dr Andrea Woolner who led the PASTeL-3 study which was presented at the conference. This study examined care after second trimester pregnancy loss and involved a survey study of healthcare professionals across the UK and Ireland.
We look look forward to working with the AEPU and attending next year’s conference which will be held in Liverpool on 05-06 November 2026.
PLRG Oral Presentation at AEPU 2025
| Title | Authors | Research Project / Area |
|---|---|---|
| Service users experiences of Ireland’s first offsite early pregnancy unit: a prospective quantitative evaluation | Emma Wilson, Sara Leitao, Joshil Selva Jothi, David Synnott, Keelin O'Donoghue, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Experiences in an Early Pregnancy Unit |
PLRG ePoster Presentations at AEPU 2025
| Title | Authors | Research Project / Area |
|---|---|---|
| Abortion care in Ireland: a four year review of complications following community early medical abortion | Sophie Boyd, Anthony Sheppard, Keelin O’Donoghue, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Termination of Pregnancy |
| At the edge of rupture: Fertility sparing surgical treatment of caesarean scar pregnancy | JJ Knoetze, Josh Selva Jothi, Edel Nagle, Louise Dooley, Jennifer Sammon, Stephen Dobbs, Minna Geisler, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Ectopic pregnancy |
| Developing an evidence-informed model of care for recurrent miscarriage in partnership with knowledge users | Marita Hennessy, Rebecca Dennehy, Karen Matvienko-Sikar, Ria O’Sullivan-Lago, Jennifer Uí Dhúbhgáin, Con Lucey, Keelin O’Donoghue | RE:CURRENT |
| Exploring bereavement midwives' perspectives on pregnancy-related tissue management following early pregnancy loss | Niamh Howard-Jones, Antoinette Stanbridge, Mary McAteer, Marita Hennessy, Rióna Cotter, Keelin O'Donoghue | Miscarriage |
| Exploring national practices in the management of pregnancy- related tissue following first trimester miscarriage | Niamh Howard-Jones, Antoinette Stanbridge, Mary McAteer, Susan Dineen, Brendan Fitzgerald, Marita Hennessy, Keelin O'Donoghue | Miscarriage |
| False alarm in the operating theatre: Negative laparoscopies exposed | Aziza Ahmed, Redona Sahiti, Tamara Kalisse, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan, Claire McCarthy | - |
| Fibroid uterus as a diagnostic challenge in interstitial ectopic pregnancy: Imaging insights from a case report | Órla Power, Josh Selva Jothi, Louise Dooley, Tamara Kalisse, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Ectopic pregnancy |
| Knowledge translation towards compassionate care models | Oana Marian, Marita Hennessy, Hannah O'Leary, Keelin O'Donoghue | Knowledge translation |
| One-year retrospective review of safety and service in Ireland’s first offsite early pregnancy unit | Emma Wilson, Joshil Selva Jothi, David Synnott, Louise Dooley, Deirdre Hayes-Ryan | Experiences in an Early Pregnancy Unit |
Photo Gallery
Niamh Howard-Jones presenting an exploration of national practices in the management of pregnancy-related tissue following first trimester miscarriage
Professor Keelin O'Donoghue presenting the development of an evidence-informed model of care for recurrent miscarriage
Dr Deirdre Hayes-Ryan presenting a one-year retrospective review of safety and service in Ireland’s first offsite early pregnancy unit
About the AEPU
The Association of Early Pregnancy Units (AEPU) brings together healthcare professionals who are passionate about supporting women and their partners through early pregnancy problems. Its goal is to share knowledge, provide training, and offer resources that help ensure every person receives the highest standard of care during this important time. The AEPU is a specialist society of the Royal College of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and connects over 200 Early Pregnancy Units across NHS hospitals throughout the UK.