Pregnancy Loss Research Group | University College Cork

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

We lead national research to better understand pregnancy loss experiences and impacts, and the development of resources and evidence-based advice and interventions, to improve health care (quality) and health and social outcomes for women, babies and their families.

Research spotlights

Collaborating with young people to develop pregnancy loss and infertility resources

The SPRING Project – Supporting Pregnancy & Reproductive Health Information for Teenagers – is a collaboration between the Pregnancy Loss Research Group and Transition Year Students at St Angela’s College, Cork. The team has developed an information booklet and other resources - centered around 12 key messages - to increase knowledge and awareness of pregnancy loss amongst young people in secondary schools.

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New miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage information resources

Suite of resources now available to improve the care of people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage. They include information booklets, multi-lingual videos, an emergency room checklist, a clinic letter template and case studies. These were developed as part of the Health Research Board-funded RE:CURRENT study in collaboration with people with lived experience, health professionals and decision-makers in the maternity services.

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How can we better support workers who experience pregnancy loss?

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned the Pregnancy Loss Research Group to examine the workplace experiences and support needs of people who experience pregnancy loss before 24 weeks gestation. Read more about the PLACES project and view/download the final report and policy brief which include details of the nine recommendations made.

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Better care for recurrent miscarriage in Ireland

The RE:CURRENT project evaluated recurrent miscarriage (RM) services in Ireland to inform efforts to standardise and improve the quality of these services. The project was funded by the Health Research Board and is showcased in their latest edition of Health Research in Action. Read more about what the project involved, and its outcomes and impacts to date.

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Why don't we talk about pregnancy loss?

We produced an infographic to enhance advocacy and awareness around pregnancy loss - including key statistics and information for Ireland. Launched during Baby Loss Awareness Week 2023, we use this resource to advocate for enhanced structures, supports and resourcing for pregnancy loss, and encourage others to use it also.

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Why My Baby Died

Involving bereaved parents in their baby’s care and in the maternity hospital reviews that take place after a baby’s death can help parents manage their bereavement and plan for the future. In 2021, we interviewed 20 bereaved parents, about their experience and views, to investigate how they could be involved in maternity hospital perinatal death reviews in ways that benefit them and the review process itself. This graphic narrative – “Why my baby died” – tells their story, in their own words.

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The difference our work makes

Read our case study: Informing national clinical guidelines in pregnancy loss

The updated guidelines on different aspects of pregnancy loss – and the first national guideline on recurrent miscarriage – are an important step in standardising and enhancing services nationally.

Professor Keelin O'Donoghue

Clinical Lead for Guideline Development (Maternity and Gynaecology), NWIHP, and Lead, Pregnancy Loss Research Group

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Pregnancy loss supports

About our website

Through our website, we aim to share pregnancy loss research with a wide range of people, including researchers, health and social care professionals, people who have experienced pregnancy loss, policy-makers and many more. There are organisations and initiatives across Ireland, and beyond, which provide support services around different aspects and types of pregnancy loss. We include details of these on this website for your information.

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News and Media

Pictured outside Leinster House, L-R: Mary Lawson (Miscarriage Association of Ireland), Nina Doyle (Féileacáin), Marita Hennessy (PLRG), Senator Nicole Ryan, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue (PLRG), Mairie Cregan (Féileacáin), Jennifer Uí Dhúbhgáin (Miscarriage Association of Ireland)

12 Jun 2025

PLRG highlights policy changes and service improvements needed for people who experience pregnancy loss under 23 weeks at Oireachtas briefing

Yesterday Professor Keelin O’Donoghue and Marita Hennessy PhD participated in an Oireachtas briefing on pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, hosted by Senator Nicole Ryan. Joined by representatives from the Miscarriage Association of Ireland and Féileacáin, the session was titled “Policy change and service improvement for people who experience pregnancy loss: An ambition for the 34th Dáil and 27th Seanad”.

Pictured outside Leinster House following a briefing on pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, including the proposed model of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage care, L-R: Jennifer Uí Dhúbhgáin (Chair, Miscarriage Association; RE:CURRENT Research Advisory Group member), Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, Mairie Cregan (Co-Founder, Féileacáin; RE:CURRENT Research Advisory Group member), Marita Hennessy PhD.

11 Jun 2025

New model of care for recurrent miscarriage proposed which would see people receive appropriate care and support following their first miscarriage

The Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG) at University College Cork is calling on decision-makers to implement a new model of care for people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage. This would see people offered appropriate, individualised, timely and accessible care and support, after their first miscarriage as well as for recurrent miscarriage.

L-R: Dr Avril Hutch, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue, Clíodhna O’Callaghan, Marita Hennessy PhD, Dr Oana Sânziana Marian, Emma Connolly

29 May 2025

Mná@UCC and PLRG Workshop explores how to foster compassionate workplaces for people who experience pregnancy loss

Fostering compassionate and supportive workplaces for people who experience pregnancy loss was the focus of a workshop hosted by the Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG) and Mná@UCC on Tuesday, 27 May. The event aimed to provide a forum for UCC staff to hear about recent research in this area and to input into local and national resources for workplaces currently under development.

Pictured at the recent EOTTD Meeting in Madrid, L-R: Dr Aoife Corcoran, Dr Caroline Joyce, Dr John Coulter

29 May 2025

13th European Organisation for Treatment of Trophoblastic Diseases (EOTTD) Meeting

Dr Caroline Joyce and Dr Aoife Corcoran attended the 13th EOTTD Meeting with other members of the Irish National Gestational Trophoblastic Disease Centre. Held at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Madrid (Spain), the meeting provided a wonderful opportunity to connect with European colleagues and foster collaborative research projects.

Acknowledgement

This website was developed through the support of an Irish Research Council New Foundations Award, with the Irish Hospice Foundation as civic society partner.