PLRG Study Day 2026

12 Oct 2026

Over 120 people from across the country took part in our PLRG Teardrop Study Day which was held on 09 October 2026 in collaboration with the Centre for Midwifery Education at Cork University Maternity Hospital.

Members of the PLRG Team, including clinicians, researchers, affiliated members and collaborators, presented a range of talks showcasing the depth and breadth of research being undertaken within the Group across all forms of pregnancy endings. Topics covered across five sessions focused on: early pregnancy; policy and the workplace; education and training; investigation and prevention; experience and impact. We were also joined by Senator Nicole Ryan who shared updates from the Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss.

Participants had the opportunity to view an exhibition of illustrations created by Amy Lauren for ‘Termination of Pregnancy for Fetal Anomaly', a national information booklet developed by the Pregnancy Loss Research Group and the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme. On display at Cork University Maternity Hospital for Baby Loss Awareness Week, the illustrations follow the journey from diagnosis, through decision-making and care, to the time after a pregnancy ends and thinking through another pregnancy. They aim to give a visual narrative to experiences that can be hard to process only through words.

The study day was very well received with positive feedback reported. Participants valued the opportunity to learn about ongoing and recently completed research and audits, available information resources, and education and training programmes. Common take home messages shared by participants centred around the importance of communication and language, respecting individuals’ views and preferences regarding pregnancy tissue, involving parents in perinatal death reviews, and enhancing the representation of men/partners in research and their inclusion in care. Hearing and learning from the SPRING (Supporting Pregnancy and Reproductive Health Information for teenaGers) project team was a highlight for many.

We are grateful to all who attended the event, both in-person and online, as well as everyone who presented, including experts-by-experience within the PLRG, and fifth year students from St Angela’s College Cork and their teacher Ms Shelly Whelan. Special thanks to all involved in the organisation of the Study Day, particularly Dr Sophie Boyd, Dr Barbara Burke, Dr Aoife Corcoran, Caroline O’Connor and Dr Emily O’Connor from the PLRG who led from the front, and Mary O’Connor from the Centre for Midwifery Education. Thanks also to Somi Vinnakota, currently on placement at INFANT as part of her MSc in Immersive Software Engineering at the University of Limerick, who acted as photographer and videographer for the event.

Earlier in the morning, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue presented updates from the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at the Ireland South Women and Infants Network Grand Rounds. Both events were held as part of PLRG activities for Baby Loss Awareness Week 2026.

Check out ‘Study Day 2026’ highlights on our Instagram page for more photographs from the event.

L-R: Marita Hennessy PhD, Senator Nicole Ryan and Professor Keelin O’Donoghue

PLRG Study Day Programme