Our Professional Pause sessions were created in response to the need for peer support spaces for NHS staff.

Resilience is a key focus in healthcare, helping staff cope with the challenges of their roles without negatively impacting their personal wellbeing. However, despite improvements in some areas, the 2023 NHS Staff Survey painted a concerning picture with 30% of respondents reported feeling burnt out, and 34% found their work emotionally exhausting.

But where can healthcare professionals find the support they need? We know that being heard and understood by others who have been through something similar can improve wellbeing, and help people feel less alone.

The Need for Peer Support

Peer support refers to colleagues providing emotional and social support to one another, especially within the same specialty.

The Miscarriage Association and The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust understand this need and have been running well-attended peer support groups that offer a safe space for those who have shared experiences.

Both charities recognised the gap in external support for NHS staff. Aside from occasional conferences or training events, there were few opportunities for healthcare workers to connect with others facing similar challenges.

Introducing Professional Pause

To address this, the Miscarriage Association and The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust teamed up to create Professional Pause—an initiative offering a safe space for NHS staff in early pregnancy care. Helen, a senior support worker at the Miscarriage Association, brings her 18 years of experience as a former- midwife and Joanne brings her background of mental health nursing, alongside her role at The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.

“We both hope that by bringing our background as health professionals and our knowledge of those accessing early pregnancy care, we can create a safe space for people to network, offload and reflect on practice and the challenges they face.” Helen.

About the sessions

Professional Pause sessions take place once a month. We cover a different topic each month ranging from communication and breaking bad news, patient expectation vs reality of the care system, and how to support yourself and your colleagues.

“I really enjoyed the session, and I found it beneficial talking to a lovely group of ladies with the same aim in mind, so thank you for allowing me to participate.” Participant.

The sessions are interactive, and anyone who attends has the opportunity to share their experiences. Attendees often discuss the different ways in which their units work, and how they might have managed to bring about change in the workplace.

Meeting in this way is not just about supporting each other and networking, but it also helps to reflect and acknowledge the pressures you face. It’s a space in which you can be honest with the challenges of clinical practice, and balancing all this with seeing the positives in the care they provide.

“I love the sessions; it’s so helpful to listen to others and how their hospitals work.”

Join Us and Find Support

Anyone working in early pregnancy care is welcome to join Professional Pause. While we can’t change pay or staffing levels, we offer a supportive community where participants can reflect on their challenges, share experiences, and feel heard.

Our upcoming sessions can be found, here.

The post Professional Pause: The Importance of Peer Support for Healthcare Professionals appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

Knowing what to expect during this time can help. We’ve tried to answer some of the most common questions about periods after pregnancy loss – hopefully this might help to reduce some anxiety.

How long might it take for my period to return after a miscarriage?

Everyone is different and this can vary depending on how quickly your hormone levels settle. As a guide it can take between 4 to 8 weeks for your periods to return. For some people this can be a little shorter and for others this can be a bit longer, it doesn’t mean than anything is wrong, but if you haven’t had a period within this time, it might be an idea to consult your GP or hospital doctor.

What might my first period after miscarriage be like?

Again, this may be different from person to person. For some it can be heavier and more painful than normal and it might also last a bit longer, too. There can sometimes be some small blood clots or tissue that comes away; this can be upsetting to see but is not a cause for concern.

For other people the first period might be much lighter and shorter than they are used to, perhaps especially after surgical management of miscarriage, and subsequent periods usually do get back to a more normal flow and length.

My cycle and periods are different after my miscarriage is there something wrong?

Irregular periods after a miscarriage can be very common. Your body has been through some big hormonal changes, and it can take a few months before it gets back to a more predictable pattern.

If your cycle was irregular before the miscarriage, it is likely that they will stay that way afterwards, too. If your periods were like clockwork before your miscarriage, more often they will quickly get back to that pattern. If they haven’t returned to your normal after 3-6 months, then do talk things through with your GP.

I find my periods a trigger. Is that normal?

Miscarriage can be a devastating and traumatic experience. Experiencing bleeding again can be an upsetting reminder of the physical side of the miscarriage and bring back feelings of anxiety, panic and distress. Your period returning is of course also a painful reminder that you aren’t pregnant anymore.

When will I ovulate after a miscarriage?

You can start ovulating within one to two months after a miscarriage. However, it’s possible to begin ovulating within two weeks of a miscarriage if it happened during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy.

Many people track their ovulation and some might use ovulation sticks. People tell us that these can be inaccurate until your period has returned as they can turn positive when there is still hCG (pregnancy hormones) in your system. So, it’s probably better to wait until you have had your first period before using them again.

When can I start trying again?

Many people want to try again soon after their loss. Once your bleeding has completely stopped from the miscarriage and you have had a negative pregnancy test, you can try again before your period returns if you want to. Doctors will often suggest waiting until you have had a normal period as this makes a pregnancy easier to date. As long as there have been no complications after your miscarriage, the most important thing is when you and your partner feel ready to try again.

What about PCOS or endometriosis?

Some chronic medical conditions, such as PCOS and endometriosis, can affect your periods and might make your cycle irregular, with periods being heavier, more painful and less frequent. This may be worse after a miscarriage as your hormones settle and your body heals.  It can also add to any anxiety you may have about future fertility and miscarriage risk. While there is no complete cure for these conditions, there are treatment options that can help reduce your symptoms and improve your fertility, which your GP or specialist can discuss with you.

If you have any questions or concerns about your periods after pregnancy loss, or would like to talk to one of our support workers about any part of your experience, do just get in touch.

Helen Berry

M.A. Support Worker and former midwife

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