Around one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage – an estimated 250,000 miscarriages in the UK each year. A further 1 in 100 pregnancies is ectopic – a life-threatening condition. Yet pregnancy loss is still something of a taboo subject and myths and misinformation abound.
Those experiencing pregnancy loss often feel isolated and ignored, and understanding and sensitivity from friends and family can help enormously. It is much easier for people to give this when they have some knowledge about pregnancy loss and the impact it can have.
The Miscarriage Association works to break the silence, to raise awareness of the facts and feelings of pregnancy loss and to raise awareness of our services so that people know they have a place to turn to.
View our film about the experience of miscarriage and the work of The M.A.
Working with the media :
The Miscarriage Association is considered an expert source of information and comment for the print, broadcast and online media. We:
- respond swiftly to media enquiries
- provide background information for journalists
- provide expert opinion and comment on news items and features
- help with storylines for television and radio dramas
- encourage responsible media coverage of pregnancy loss
- provide interviewees for case studies
Working with the public :
People get their information from a wide range of sources as well as the media and The Miscarriage Association aims to use a range of methods to raise awareness of pregnancy loss and of our work. We:
- distribute posters and leaflets for display in hospitals, surgeries, shops and libraries
- staff exhibition stands at a range of public and professional events
- promote our film Acknowledging pregnancy loss: The Miscarriage Association on a range of websites and on the Community Channel
- encourage our supporters to run fundraising and other events which also raise the profile of pregnancy loss
- collaborate with four other charities to organise the annual national Baby Loss Awareness Week
- publish the leaflet Someone You Know, targeting family and friends
How you can help
Find out more about how you can help
Good practice
Read about the importance of raising awareness amongst health professionals
Conferences and study days
We run two or three conferences per year for health professionals, in association with the Royal College of Nursing. Conferences aim to provide hospital and community staff with take-home messages to enhance professional care in pregnancy loss.
“It made me think about the way I communicate with patients, the importance
of giving clear explanations & information when dealing with pregnancy loss
and that each case is very individual.”(Midwife, AN & PN wards)
Click here for events and application forms.
We also speak at a range of national and international conferences and study days organised by other organisations, including the Royal College of Nursing, the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology.
If you are planning a conference or study day and you would like a representative from The Miscarriage Association, please contact us and we will try to help.
Consultation
We are happy to provide advice and guidance to hospital and community-based professionals regarding the care of patients with pregnancy loss. In recent years, this has included reviewing patient information leaflets; guidance on policy and practice for sensitive disposal; and recommendations regarding certification of pregnancy loss.
We encourage our members to help provide the patient point of view in their local hospitals, either by giving talks to staff and students or by joining joint staff-patient groups, such as the Maternity Liaison Committees.
Please contact us if you think we may be able to help.
Collaboration
While the Miscarriage Association’s services are specialised and unique, it is crucial that we work together with other organisations to make the best use of our joint expertise and experience. These include professional organisations such as the Royal Colleges of Nurses, of Midwives and of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists; and charities such as Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC), the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS), Action on Pre-Eclampsia (APEC); and the web-based organisation www.babyloss.com