Skip to main content
UCC

Explore UCC

Explore UCC

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

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.

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

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

Find Out More

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.

Find Out More

News and Media

Anne-Marie Farrell being conferred with her Master's in Public Health by Professor John O'Halloran, President of UCC
15 Apr 2025

Congratulations to Anne-Marie Farrell

Our warmest congratulations to Anne-Marie Farrell who was conferred with her Master’s in Public Health during the UCC College of Medicine and Health Spring Conferring Ceremony held at Devere Hall on 28 March 2025.
Read more
Caroline O’Connor and Dr Margaret Murphy at the All-Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2025
14 Apr 2025

All-Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2025

The All-Ireland Maternity and Midwifery Festival 2025 took place in Dublin and online on 08 April. It featured inspirational speakers on policy, management and organisation, professional education and new research.
Read more
Pictured L-R, Dr Karen O’Donnell, Dr Oana Sânziana Marian and Dr Daniel Nuzum, at the Society for the Study of Theology Conference 2025, held at the University of Warwick from 07-10 April.
11 Apr 2025

Society for the Study of Theology Conference 2025: Flesh and Blood Theologies

This week, Dr Oana Sânziana Marian presented her paper “Pregnancy Loss in Clinical-Theological Dialogue” at the Society for the Study of Theology (SST) annual conference.
Read more
02 Apr 2025

New information resources to improve services and supports for miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage

Today, the Pregnancy Loss Research Group at University College Cork is launching a suite of resources to improve the care of people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage.
Read more
Read more

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.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

Choose areas of the website to search
Top