Molar Pregnancy / Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD)
Workplace supports for early pregnancy loss: A scoping review of international literature
Our scoping review found a lack of empirical research on workplace supports and experiences of pregnancy loss before viability. Further research is needed to understand workers’ experiences and to develop and implement appropriate supports.
- Authors
Ruadh Kelly-Harrington, Sara Leitao, Keelin O’Donoghue, Daniel Nuzum, Marita Hennessy
- Year
- 2025
- Journal Name
- Work
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Early pregnancy / Early pregnancy loss, Ectopic pregnancy, First-trimester miscarriage, Miscarriage, Molar pregnancy / Gestational Trophoblastic Disease, Pregnancy loss, Second-trimester miscarriage, Termination of pregnancy
- Project
- Full Citation
Kelly-Harrington R, Leitao S, O’Donoghue K, Dalton-O’Connor C, Donnelly M, Murray C, Nuzum D, O’Sullivan M, Hennessy M. Workplace supports for early pregnancy loss: A scoping review of international literature. Work. 2025;0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/10519815241305007.
- Link to Publication
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/10519815241305007
Abstract
Despite the prevalence and impacts of pregnancy loss, there is a lack of statutory or workplace-based supports for workers experiencing pregnancy loss, especially before the point of viability (in Ireland, this is before 24 weeks of pregnancy). We reviewed the literature on workplace supports for pregnancy loss before viability to see what has been published in this area. After conducting our searches, we included 48 records in our analysis: 18 reports, 15 journal articles, 6 guides/codes of practice, 3 theses, 2 book/book chapters, and 4 other narrative records. Only 14 records were original research – where the researchers collected new data. Reports were mainly from South-East Asia, while all original research studies took place in high-income, English-speaking countries. Leave from work was the most discussed or important form of workplace support. We also identified helpful organisational measures in the literature. More research is needed to better understand workers’ experiences of pregnancy loss and to put appropriate supports in place.