Trustees’ Week is a national celebration of the people who give their time and expertise to help charities thrive. Our trustees play a vital role in leading the charity, setting our direction and ensuring that we continue to support anyone affected by pregnancy loss with care, compassion and integrity.

Each trustee brings their own unique experience, insight and passion, and together they help us make a real difference. From providing leadership and financial direction to offering clinical and digital expertise, they guide our work with dedication and heart. Our trustees head up key initiatives such as our Health Professionals Advisory Panel, support our campaigns at government level, and share valuable knowledge in fundraising, income generation and legal governance.

We’re also grateful to those who have represented us in Parliament as part of our Leave for Every Loss campaign, helping us advocate for better employment rights for those affected by pregnancy loss.

Take a look at our social media post recognising our Trustees below, to see just some of the ways they support the Miscarriage Association.

Instagram | LinkedIn

From all of us at the Miscarriage Association, and our community, thank you for everything you do.

The work we do wouldn’t be possible without the commitment of our trustees, volunteers and supporters. If you’d like to make a contribution to support our work, we’d be so grateful.

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Pregnancy loss is one of the most profound and private griefs a person can experience. For many, it’s a sorrow marked not by shared rituals or recognition, but by silence. The loss of a baby during pregnancy can feel like a loss of dreams, of possibility and love. And yet, even in the quiet, science reveals something astonishing – something that may bring comfort to those of us who carry this invisible pain. That something is called microchimerism.

Voices in the Silence: Myleene Klass and Miscarriage Awareness

In recent years, public conversations around pregnancy loss have slowly become more open, sometimes helping others affected to share their lived experiences. Among those who have helped to shine a light on this prevalent, important and deeply impactful topic is Myleene Klass. Myleene Klass is a British singer and television presenter and has spoken candidly about her devastating experience of multiple miscarriage. Her honesty and vulnerability has provided solidarity and comfort to countless others who have walked this same painful path. Indeed, her heartache and bravery has resonated deeply with me. As well as sharing her story publicly, Myleene has highlighted a lesser-known scientific source of solace known as microchimerism.

What is Microchimerism?

During pregnancy, foetal cells cross the placenta and enter the mother’s/pregnant person’s body, where they can remain for decades – sometimes forever. Similarly, maternal cells can enter the foetus, creating a permanent biological connection between a mother and her lost baby.

These cells can settle in various places – including the brain, and aptly – the heart. As Myleene points out, microchimerism offers a quietly powerful reminder that the connection between mother/birthing parent and child can live on at the cellular level. Through microchimerism, science affirms what many of us already feel: that our lost babies, however briefly with us, remain part of us. They leave a biological imprint – not simply a memory – but a presence, which can be lifelong.

While this knowledge doesn’t erase the grief, it offers a new way to understand the depth of the connection between parent and child. It provides scientific validation that your baby’s existence was real. That they made their mark, and part of them is still with you.

A Lasting Imprint

For those reading this who have sadly lost a pregnancy, the idea that some part of your child remains physically within you may be extremely comforting – a reminder that the bond formed during pregnancy doesn’t end with your heartbreaking loss. While the science is still emerging, what we do know paints a picture of a lingering presence of the body’s quiet memory of a life once carried.

“In the time I have been campaigning for better miscarriage care for women and their families, I discovered something called Microchimerism. In short, the cells of every baby you carry are transferred into your own body and for those who go on to have their rainbow baby, into them as well. When I hug my son, I hug them all. Each day, I literally carry my lost babies in my heart. In my body. They never leave you. I get a huge amount of peace knowing this”. Myleene Klass

To me, microchimerism – though invisible – provides a kind of tangibility of a loss too often overlooked. In a world that frequently minimises the pain of miscarriage, microchimerism reminds us that pregnancy loss, regardless of gestation, can leave a lasting mark. It illuminates that love and connection can be etched not only in our memory, but in our very cells. The love can literally live within our hearts.

If you have experienced the grief of pregnancy loss, know that your story doesn’t end with the loss itself. It continues, not just in your recollection, but as science now confirms, in biology.

The concept of microchimerism reveals that bonds formed during pregnancy are far more enduring than we ever imagined. Thank you to Myleene Klass for helping to reframe the narrative of pregnancy loss, not as a final chapter, but as a lasting imprint carried in love, remembrance, our sense of self, and in the very fabric of our being.

We carried them, and in a very real, biological way – we still do.

Written by Katy Schnitzler

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We want you to know that it’s okay to feel whatever you’re feeling and to do whatever you need. Take care of yourself and remember, however you’re feeling, you’re not alone.

We’re here to help you through, but our helpline staff are taking a well-deserved break, so our support services will be closing briefly over the Christmas period.

Holiday closures: 24, 25 and 26 December and 1 January.

Ways to remember your little ones this Christmas

If you might find some comfort in remembering your baby or babies at this time of year, you could light a candle, or place a special ornament or decoration on your Christmas tree.

We also have a special online Lights of Love tree where you can add a light and message, and different keepsakes in our online shop, which will also support the Miscarriage Association.

Finding support

• You can still post and read messages on our support forum. If you’re not already a member, join by 3pm on 20 December to be able to access the forum over the holiday closures.
• You can use our private Facebook groups at any time to share your thoughts and feelings with others. We have a general group, and two for people who are at different stages of being pregnant after loss.
• You may like to join one of our support group meetings that are taking place around the festive season.
• You might find it helpful to read some of the stories and thoughts that others have shared. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone can really help you through.
• You can also follow us on our Instagram, Facebook and Linkedin accounts, where you may find comfort in the community, and the posts we share.
• When we’re not open you can always contact the Samaritans free 24 hour helpline on 116 123.

We’re sending love to you all this festive season.

The post Support through the festive season appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

1. Do what feels right to you. Everyone feels their loss differently. If it serves you to be involved, attend BLAW events, and be engaged on social media, that’s wonderful. But acknowledging that this week might be too difficult for you, unfollowing certain pages and taking a step back is also a great way to take care of yourself, and manage your own feelings and mental health throughout the week.

2. Do the things that make you feel good. Social media can feel all consuming on an ordinary day – but during awareness weeks, you can feel inundated with content that can be really emotionally charged. It can be good to find something you can channel your focus and energy into, so that you don’t feel as overwhelmed – see friends, continue your hobbies or try out a new one, take breaks from social media and swap in reading, or journalling.

3. Try not to feel guilty, or compare your Baby Loss Awareness Week to that of the people you follow or engage with. Comparison is rarely a good thing, and even less so on social media. If you feel like not taking part, that’s okay. The people you see posting about it and starting conversations are likely doing it because it feels cathartic to them. If not taking part feels best for you, that’s okay too.

4. Remember your loss in a way that feels right to you. It was your loss, and the way you choose (or choose not to) remember them is yours too. You might like to go on a walk, look at scans, or take part in a Wave of Light event. There is no right or wrong way to remember or mark your loss.

5. Try to stay connected with your loved ones. It can be really helpful to let the people around you know how you feel about Baby Loss Awareness Week, and what you might need from them. If it’s something you find difficult, they can step in and check up on you, keep you company, or keep you distracted. If it’s something you want to be involved in actively, they can help you do this, and support you if things get a little overwhelming.

How ever you choose to look after yourself, the most important thing is to put yourself and your needs first, and to try and stay aware of how you’re feeling.

If you would like support during this time, or any other, you can contact us on 01924 200799, email at info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk, or use our live chat service on our website.

To find out more about Baby Loss Awareness Week, click here.

The post Taking care of yourself this Baby Loss Awareness Week appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

The latest stage of the inquiry, which started on Monday 9th September, focuses on the effects of the pandemic on healthcare, including the impact on pregnancy, maternity and neonatal care.

At the opening hearing, Jacqueline Carey KC, Counsel to the Inquiry, read powerful testimony submitted by the Miscarriage Association and our service users.

She told the inquiry that having to attend appointments and being given unexpected and/or upsetting news alone was one of the most distressing aspects of the pandemic.

She referred to a survey carried out by the MA and read quotations from two of our respondents.

The first said: “It was heartbreaking to lose my baby, the only child I conceived in a three-year ongoing infertility journey. Confused, masked, distraught and without my partner to hold my hand and grieve with me.”

The second said: “It was one thing being completely alone in hospital and having my miscarriage confirmed and having to decide how to manage things but knowing that the Government were having parties at the same time is disgusting and fills me with so much anger. I remember meeting my husband at the entrance to the hospital to decide on how to manage things. I’ll never forget the group of men standing there waiting for their partners to come out from appointments and scans, it was so inhumane and a memory I’ll never forget.”

Later in the hearing, Barrister Adam Wagner gave an opening statement on behalf of the 13 Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting Organisations (PBPOs) – of which the MA is one – and told the inquiry that ‘the reactive healthcare response to Covid-19 failed the women, pregnant people, and babies who were supposed to be at the heart of that care.’

The MA and its partner charities, who are represented by Slater and Gordon solicitors, have been granted core participant status in the inquiry, with more evidence due to be heard in the coming weeks.

Thank you to the almost 600 people who courageously shared their experiences with us to inform the inquiry and to try to ensure that lessons are learned for the future.

Module 3 (Healthcare) of the Covid Inquiry runs through the autumn. The daily live stream can be found here: https://covid19.public-inquiry.uk/#broadcastStatus

The post The UK Covid-19 Inquiry: sharing stories of loss appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

The kind of care that women or couples receive from their GP, hospital or community staff can make a real difference to how they cope with the experience of pregnancy after loss.

Here’s how you can help your patient, and perhaps their partner, through their scan or appointment:

Prepare for the appointment

It’s important to check and know your patient’s history before you start the scan – its vital to how you effectively communicate with them. This can also help you anticipate how they may be feeling, due to their medical history. They may have had previous experience of pregnancy loss, or might have details their pronouns, for example, which you will need to take into account.

Conduct the appointment to your patient’s preferences where possible

After preparing for the appointment, it’s important to take steps to make your patient as comfortable as possible.

You can do this by checking if there is another scan room that you can hold the appointment in, which isn’t the one they received bad news in. You could check with your patient and see if they’d like a loved one in the appointment, or if they’d like a chaperone.

Some patients prefer to have the monitor off, and in the event of a transvaginal exam, it’s important to check if they would like their support person or chaperone to remain or leave for this.

We recommend that you always ask if your patient would like a scan photo, whatever the outcome of their scan. Some people like to have this as a memory either way.

Practice active listening

You may find that your patient tells you how they’re feeling, and of any previous losses. If this is the case, it’s important to them that you show that you’ve heard and acknowledge these things.

Sometimes, all someone wants to hear is “I’m so sorry for your loss. Is there anything we can do to make this appointment a little easier for you?” There may be nothing you can do, but if there is, this will make a huge difference to your patient, and their experience.

Whilst your patient talks of their situation, be sure to mirror their language, and use the terms they prefer. For example, they might refer to the pregnancy as ‘my baby’ – if so, mirror what they say when referring to their previous and/or current pregnancy.

Be compassionately clear

When anxious or highly stressed, some people can find it difficult to process information, or take in exactly what you’re saying. If your patient or partner seems nervous or similar, try to be as clear as possible – explain what you’re doing, what will happen, how it will feel. If they ask questions, or are nervous about their pregnancy’s health, take the time to reassure them.

Keep checking in

If your patient seems anxious when they come for their appointment, it may be helpful to them if you check in with them throughout the course of the appointment or scan. They may be triggered from past experiences or previous pregnancy losses, and these feelings may be and flow throughout.

Gently ask them how they’re doing, and acknowledge that if they’ve brought a partner, that they may find the experience difficult too.

Support for you:

We recognise the stress and exhaustion that comes with working in healthcare. If you’re looking for some support, our Professional Pause sessions may be for you. Facilitated by The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust and the Miscarriage Association, these Zoom sessions are a safe space for reflection and peer support.

The post Pregnancy After Loss: How to help anxious patients through their appointments. appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

It’s common to feel nervous or frightened at this time. You may find yourself remembering what happened the last time you had a scan, especially if this scan brought sad news. If you feel anxious between scans, you might feel the need for frequent reassurance scans.

Whilst there might not be anything that will completely calm your anxiety, we have compiled some tips and advice to help you feel a little more in control and be able to communicate what you’re going through with your health care professional at your appointment.

We hope you may find some of these helpful.

Attend your appointment with notes of what you’d like to say, ask, or clarify.

Sometimes anxiety can be overwhelming, and so some of the worries or concerns you may have can get lost in the emotion of the experience. Writing these points and questions down beforehand and taking them to your appointment can give you something to refer to, and help you get the information and support you need.

Ask if you can take someone into the scan or appointment with you.

We know that scans and appointments can be difficult after loss, so you may find it helpful to have a loved one in the room with you. This gives you someone else to take in the information that you’ll be given, and some extra comfort to help you stay a little more relaxed.

Communicate how you’re feeling, and what you find helpful.

It may be helpful to tell your health care professional that you’re anxious because of a previous loss. You may then like to explain what helps you in these situations. For example, having someone else there, having your questions answered first before the appointment begins, asking to be notified of a heartbeat as soon as is practically possible, or having the screen facing away from you. This can then be taken into consideration as much as possible throughout your appointment.

Stay connected

In the lead up to the appointment, you might find it helpful to let close friends or family know that you have an appointment, and how you’re feeling. This way, people can keep in touch, check in, or keep you distracted – whichever form of support suits you and how you’re feeling.

We understand that you may not feel ready to tell your family or friends about your pregnancy just yet. If this is the case, you may also want to get in contact with us in the lead up to the appointment, or perhaps even in the waiting room.

We know calling may not be appealing to you in this situation, so you may want to start a live chat with us, or post in our private pregnancy after loss Facebook groups for some peer support.

We offer support, information and resources for pregnancy after loss. If you would like to get in touch for some support please click here.

The post How to cope with appointment and scan anxiety after experiencing pregnancy loss appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

But in some cultures, that sense of stigma, and even shame, can be felt even more keenly.

Here, our guest blogger Navrup Kaur, a birth doula, mother, and ‘SikhMum’ on Instagram, explains how she supports women in the Sikh community and their experiences of this.

And she says it’s time for compassion – and change.

One mother told me, “When I was told there was no heartbeat, my mother-in-law looked at me in such a way that I felt I killed my child and took away her opportunity to be a grandmother.” How sad this makes me. But it doesn’t end there. We invalidate her feelings by thinking, “She just lost a child and is feeling vulnerable and sensitive. She is reading too much into it.” We make women feel their feelings are in their heads, not reality. Does this not add another layer to a woman’s struggle and her healing? The damage we do with this thinking is incomparable as it plays psychological mind games that can have lasting effects. Women know. We know when someone is having an opinion without saying it. We see a look or glint in the eye. Do not doubt that. It is the power of divine intuition. Mamas and mamas-to-be, when you see and feel it, protect yourself and step away.

The intense social stigma attached to reproductive health in the South Asian community is one of the primary challenges women face. Fertility is highly prized in my community, and women face immense pressure to have a child soon after marriage. When a woman doesn’t have a child within a few years, she hears comments like, “Kaka lakeyaa,” meaning “Go and get a baby now,” as if it were a bag of sugar you can get at Sainsbury’s. The older generation is less discreet with their feelings and will openly make rude and hurtful comments, often to the woman’s face or, worse, her mother-in-law’s. Then it’s game over!

My generation is more sensitive, but work is still to be done. We still grapple with the notion that miscarriage is not just a personal loss but a failure to fulfil familial and societal expectations. This perception is damaging, leading to shame and guilt that exacerbate emotional distress.

So, why do I talk about miscarriage? Well, because the community doesn’t. The stigma surrounding miscarriage often discourages open discussion. What we fail to realise is that by not talking about it, by making women feel like failures, and by not being supportive, we isolate our sisters in their grief, denying them a supportive environment where they can share their experiences and seek comfort.

When our loved ones leave us, we grieve openly, sharing stories and finding collective healing. However, the stigma around miscarriage and the community’s tendency to view it as taboo deny women the opportunity to process their loss openly and healthily. Additionally, the pressure to conceive again quickly compounds the emotional burden, preventing adequate time for physical and psychological healing.

Change will come, but we have to welcome it. We need to talk about our experiences; that bravery will help others. We must recognise that miscarriage happens. Sometimes, we know why, and most times, we do not. Within the Sikh faith, miscarriage can be seen as a blessing, as it allows a soul to merge back with the Creator. Many South Asian religions and cultures are influenced by superstition or past actions, adding to a woman’s emotional distress. Women may also face pressure to undergo traditional healing practices or rituals, which may not align with their personal beliefs.

Regardless of how one views miscarriage, it is not our right to judge or make women feel less. The patriarchal society we live in has been doing that for centuries. We can be the change.

Despite these challenges, awareness and support within the South Asian community are growing. Mental health professionals and support groups tailored to the needs of South Asian women are becoming more prevalent, offering safe spaces to share and heal. Efforts to educate the community about reproductive health and destigmatise miscarriage are essential steps toward fostering a more supportive environment.

This silent grief I speak of may seem like a personal choice, but it is a result of social conditioning over hundreds of years. It is not fair for our sisters to grieve alone, to feel they must hide their pregnancies in case of miscarriage and endure further pain. Miscarriage leaves a lasting internal connection between the mother and the past soul. We need to work harder to change the mindset that we have a right to have an opinion on something deeply personal and different for everyone. Increased awareness, cultural sensitivity, and support from charities like The Miscarriage Association can help mitigate the challenges and provide women the support they need to navigate this challenging experience.

Be the open arms to hold your sister. Take her a meal. Just sit with her in silence. Meditate with or for her. Send her healing. Remember, if she never feels the same again, maybe she will open up to you and others because you made her feel like the powerhouse of a woman she is. We all are!

I am walking, running and swimming 50 this June for the Miscarriage Association. Please give generously.

The post Miscarriage and the South Asian Community: A Call for Compassion and Change, by Navrup Kaur appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

In our fantastic new fundraiser this May we’re asking people to host a coffee morning, afternoon tea, or bake sale to raise awareness of the impact of pregnancy loss. 

To join in you just need to choose your event type, date and time, set up your fundraising page and get baking!

Once you’re set up we’ll send you a special Bake A Difference fundraising pack, with recipe cards from well-known faces, and some of our wonderful media volunteers – Emmerdale and Call the Midwife actress Paula Lane and food blogger Neha Gandesha, and our lovely volunteers, Prem, Jess, Stephanie and Elizabeth.

The pack will also include some gorgeous bunting, stickers, food labels and posters to help you get the most out of your event.

To find out more, and to check out or download any of the resources, click here.

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Our new monthly ‘Professional Pause’ sessions provide a safe space for all healthcare professionals working in early pregnancy. It’s an opportunity to discuss and reflect on challenging aspects of  work – an open forum to discuss difficult situations or cases, enable people to share experiences, and offer each other support.

The sessions will be facilitated by us at the Miscarriage Association, alongside The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust.

The sessions are free of charge and we will provide a suggested topic to help start and guide the sessions. We encourage people to join prepared to share their own experiences. On Wednesday 24 April the discussion topic will be ‘Communication and Barriers’, you can sign up below.

For the latest session dates and booking information, click here.

Please note that these sessions are intended as a space for healthcare professionals to discuss challenges in their daily work and are not intended for people who are looking for support following a personal experience.

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