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Irish Times Opinion: Professor Keelin O’Donoghue | “As a society, we still prefer to pretend pregnancy loss doesn’t happen”

1 Jun 2023

In an in today’s Irish Times, outlines why we do a disservice to all when we don’t talk about pregnancy loss.

Writing on foot of the publication of the National Maternity Bereavement Survey (NMBES) report, and lack of coverage thereof, she states:

The NMBES report said confidently to almost 900 survey participants: “The survey ensures that your voice will be heard by those with responsibility to change and improve maternity bereavement care in Ireland.” We all let them down if we do not continue the conversation.

Progress in reduction of perinatal mortality has slowed over the last decade. Ireland lags behind other high-income countries in prevention strategies and public health education around pregnancy loss.

While much work is being undertaken to implement the National Standards for Bereavement Care following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death, demonstrating the commitment of the HSE’s National Women and Infants Programme to high-quality care for bereaved parents, other barriers remain. These include maternity hospital infrastructure, staff recruitment/retention, and competing clinical services demands.

Perhaps the biggest issue, though, is awareness at the highest levels of our health services and in society about pregnancy loss and how important bereavement care really is. Research led by the Pregnancy Loss Research Group has consistently demonstrated the lack of awareness and knowledge around the different forms of pregnancy loss – amongst the general public, students and at a political level.

We desperately need to end the silence, stigma, inaction and inequality around pregnancy loss in Ireland.

 For more information about pregnancy loss, including resources and supports, please see Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland: