UK Covid-19 Inquiry Report highlights ‘devastating impact’ to those experiencing pregnancy loss during the pandemic

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry has today (19 March) published its third report looking at what happened to the NHS and health services during the pandemic, including shedding light on how restrictions affected access to pregnancy care at the time. 

We welcome the Report’s recognition of the significant impact on those experiencing pregnancy loss during this time. It highlights how many women were required to attend maternity appointments without the support of partners or families, including at moments when they received heartbreaking news about pregnancy complications or the loss of their baby. 

The Miscarriage Association was one of 13 leading pregnancy, birth and early parenting charities who joined together to highlight the often heartbreaking impact of restrictions to access care throughout 2020 and beyond. Our collective evidence argued that the voices of those represented by the charities were marginalised in pandemic decision-making, with their needs and circumstances largely disregarded or deprioritised. 

Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, said: 

“The impact of decisions made during the pandemic caused significant additional distress and upset at a time when people were already feeling isolated, fearful and vulnerable. 

“As well as a reduction in face-to-face care and reduced ability to have partners present when receiving devastating news, many also faced reduced options for management of miscarriage, suffering unnecessary physical and emotional pain.” 

Michaela shared her experiences of pregnancy loss during the pandemic, stating:  

“Even with a history of PTSD from previous losses, I had to be scanned alone, and be given the news on my own, having no one to hold me when my world fell apart.” 

Vicki Robinson adds:

“Whilst we can’t change the past, we hope that the lessons learned from this inquiry will help prevent similar pain and suffering in the future for those experiencing pregnancy loss.” 

Key concerns addressed by the charities, included: 

• Maternity and neonatal services were overlooked in healthcare planning during the pandemic, leaving pregnant women and new parents, especially those facing complications, birth trauma, or loss, without adequate support. 

• In these unique settings, partners should not have been categorised as visitors and subject to the strict rules they were. Partners, often fathers, are a fundamental part of this journey, including scans, during and after the birth and in the neonatal unit. 

• Specific groups, including those with multiple pregnancies, neonatal admissions, or from ethnic minority backgrounds, had unique needs that were not considered and addressed adequately.  

• In many cases policies exacerbated existing inequalities, particularly in Black and Asian women and those experiencing social and economic disadvantage 

• Hospitals and healthcare providers struggled with unclear, frequently changing and delayed national guidance. This placed significant pressure on services and caused emotional distress for families.  

• The traumatic experiences endured by pregnant women and new parents during this time continue to affect their mental health, with the long-term impact still uncertain.  

• The suspension of home birth support and the closure of midwife-led units took away women’s fundamental right to decide how and where they gave birth.  

• Post-natal services suffered immensely as health visitors and other health professionals were re-deployed in the early months of the pandemic to front line services, leaving families without anyone to support them.  

• Charities filled the gaps left and supported families and professionals, providing vital services. 

Thank you again 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. 

The charities who presented evidence to the Inquiry included: 

Aching Arms, Baby Lifeline, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Group B Strep Support, ICP Support, The Lullaby Trust, The Miscarriage Association, National Childbirth Trust, Pelvic Partnership, Pregnancy Sickness Support, Tommy’s and Twins Trust.