On BBC Breakfast, our volunteers Erin and Anna shared their thoughts on this change, and how it might have helped them through their own previous losses, alongside The White Butterfly Foundation. 

Speaking about the impact of the two weeks paid leave, now available in Northern Ireland, Erin said: 

“It gives validity to both the grief and the physical aspect of the loss. Having my partner with me would’ve really helped me to process through everything, and it would’ve reduced my trauma significantly.”  

“It’s life changing. I know that had I not gone back to work when I did, I would have had a much better experience of recovery… It gives you permission to say ‘this horrible thing has happened to me, and I need to recover.” Anna added. 

Our CEO Vicki Robinson also provided insight into the benefits of paid leave, as well as the avenues of support for those not wishing to disclose their loss at work.

After years of campaigning from ourselves and fellow advocates including Sarah Owen MP, the Westminster Government has, from 2027, committed to providing a minimum of one week’s bereavement leave for pre-24-week loss in England, Scotland and Wales. Initially, however, this is expected to be unpaid. 

Through our Leave for Every Loss campaign, we will continue to push for better, so that anyone experiencing this heartbreak is allowed time to grieve without worrying about using sick leave or going without pay.

A huge thank you to Erin and Anna for sharing their stories, and for all they do to raise awareness of pregnancy loss.  

If you have been affected by miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy or molar pregnancy, and would like support, you can find our support services here. If you are unsure about your rights at work, or how to disclose your loss to your employer, you might like to visit our workplace hub. 

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As a maternal mental health counsellor, I often work with women who describe pregnancy after miscarriage as an emotional contradiction. They may desperately want to feel excited but instead find themselves bracing for the worst. This can be confusing and isolating, especially when the world around them expects happiness.

The reality is that pregnancy after loss can bring a complex mix of feelings — and all of them are valid.

The shadow of previous loss

Miscarriage changes how many people experience pregnancy. After loss, it can feel harder to trust the process or believe that things will work out. Instead of imagining baby names or decorating a nursery, they may find themselves counting weeks, watching for symptoms, or waiting anxiously for the next scan.

It’s common to feel hyper-aware of every physical sensation, worrying that something might go wrong again. Even milestones that once felt exciting — such as scans or reaching 12 weeks — can bring intense anxiety. You may be physically pregnant again, but emotionally, you may still be carrying the memory of loss.

Feeling hopeful — and guilty for it

Another experience many women share is feeling conflicted about hope. You might want to allow yourself to feel excited about this pregnancy, but worry that doing so will make the pain worse if something happens again.

Some people describe “holding back” emotionally to protect themselves. Others feel guilty for feeling hopeful — particularly if their grief from a previous miscarriage still feels close. There may also be moments where joy appears unexpectedly, followed quickly by fear or guilt. This emotional push and pull can feel exhausting, but it is a very understandable response to loss.

Comparing this pregnancy to the last

Pregnancy after miscarriage can also bring constant comparisons. You might find yourself thinking:

“What if the same thing happens again?”

“Last time this is when things went wrong.”

“I didn’t feel this symptom before — is that good or bad?”

These thoughts often come from a place of trying to regain control in a situation that can feel deeply uncertain. Unfortunately, pregnancy doesn’t offer many guarantees, and that uncertainty can feel particularly hard after loss.

The loneliness of pregnancy after loss

Many women tell me they feel alone during pregnancy after miscarriage. Friends and family may assume that becoming pregnant again means everything is better now. Comments like “At least you’re pregnant again” can unintentionally minimise the emotional impact of previous loss. At the same time, you may hesitate to share your worries with others because you don’t want to appear negative or ungrateful.

Some people also feel unsure how to talk about their previous miscarriage during a new pregnancy. You might wonder whether it’s okay to still grieve while carrying another baby. The truth is that grief and hope can exist side by side.

Being gentle with yourself

If you are pregnant after miscarriage, it may help to remind yourself that there is no “right” way to feel. You might feel hopeful one day and frightened the next. You might feel emotionally distant from the pregnancy, or deeply connected to it. All these responses are normal.

Some people find it helpful to focus on taking pregnancy one step at a time — one day or one week at a time — rather than feeling pressure to embrace the whole journey at once.

Small acts of self-care can also support emotional wellbeing during this time, such as:

• Talking openly with someone you trust
• Limiting time spent searching for information online
• Practising grounding or calming techniques
• Acknowledging and honouring your previous loss

Importantly, if anxiety begins to feel overwhelming, it can help to seek support. Speaking with a counsellor who understands pregnancy after loss can provide space to talk honestly about your fears and feelings without judgement.

Allowing space for both fear and hope

Pregnancy after miscarriage can be described as an emotional balancing act. Fear may still be present — and understandably so. But many women gradually find that hope can grow alongside that fear. Not by ignoring what happened before, but by making space for both experiences.

Your previous loss is part of your story, and it may shape how you experience pregnancy now. But it does not mean you have to face those feelings alone. Support, understanding, and compassionate spaces can make a significant difference during this time.

If you are navigating pregnancy after miscarriage, please know that your feelings are valid, your worries are understandable, and you deserve support along the way.

About the author

Nicky Kantura is a Maternal Mental Health Counsellor based in St Albans who specialises in supporting women through pregnancy after loss, miscarriage, and the emotional transitions of motherhood. She is listed on the Miscarriage Association Counsellors Directory.

If you have been affected by pregnancy loss, you can also reach out to our support line by calling 0303 003 6464, emailing info@miscarriageassociation.org.uk, or starting a live chat in the bottom right hand corner of this website.

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Importantly, it recognises that women and partners experiencing miscarriage and pregnancy loss were not adequately supported during the COVID-19 pandemic. We welcome this acknowledgement, alongside a commitment to ensure that those affected are not deprioritised in future. 

We were proud to give evidence to the UK Covid-19 Inquiry on behalf of our community, helping to ensure that the experiences of those affected by pregnancy loss were heard and reflected. 

The strategy highlights the particular vulnerability of maternity and neonatal services during a pandemic and notes that these services were not always considered as carefully as they should have been. As a result, NHS England will review protocols in England to ensure maternity and neonatal services can respond and adapt in future emergencies. 

Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, said: 

“We welcome the recognition that those experiencing pregnancy loss were not adequately supported during the pandemic, and the commitment to ensure they are not deprioritised in future.  

“This is an important step forward, but it is vital that these commitments now translate into meaningful change in practice. We will continue to work with Government and the NHS to ensure that anyone affected by pregnancy loss receives the compassionate and consistent care they need, even in the most challenging circumstances.” 

Our support services are available for anyone who needs them.  

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The charter has been commissioned by the Scottish Government and developed in partnership with baby loss charities, including the Miscarriage Association, Tommy’s and Held In Our Hearts. It outlines the standards of care women should receive during and after a miscarriage, including their rights and entitlements. 

It forms part of the Scottish Government’s wider Delivery Framework for Miscarriage Care, which aims to improve how NHS Boards support women, including ensuring access to care and support from a first miscarriage. 

The charter sets out key aspects of care, such as access to private spaces in hospital, progesterone treatment where clinically appropriate, and sensitive, culturally competent bereavement support. It is supported by a range of information resources, available both online and in printed formats, including 18 languages, BSL and audio versions. 

Public Health and Women’s Health Minister Jenni Minto said: 

“Miscarriage is devastating, and for too long women have not had the care and support they deserve. That is changing. Scotland will become the first country in the UK to publish a miscarriage patient charter, meaning women know exactly how they will be supported by health services following their loss. 

“This charter is a landmark moment — it tells women clearly what they should expect from their NHS, and it holds services to account for delivering it. Scotland is leading the way, and I am proud of the progress NHS Boards, and our charity partners have made together.” 

Vicki Robinson, Chief Executive of the Miscarriage Association, said: 

“We welcome the Scottish Government’s introduction of the miscarriage patient charter and are proud to be involved in this work. We look forward to seeing the charter rolled out.” 

We’re really encouraged by the progress being made to improve pregnancy loss care in Scotland, and are proud to be one of the charities driving this change. You can find out more about our involvement in the Scottish Baby Loss Collaborative here. 

You can find out more about the patient charter for miscarriage care in Scotland, here.

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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.

Statement from the Pregnancy, Baby and Parent Organisations (PBPO) in response to the latest UK Covid‑19 Inquiry Report

The Pregnancy, Baby and Parent Organisations (PBPOs), representing thirteen organisations that support families during pregnancy, birth, neonatal care, and baby loss, welcomes the findings of the latest UK Covid‑19 Inquiry report. The report confirms what families, frontline professionals, and charities have been saying since the start of the pandemic: maternity and neonatal services were not prioritised as they needed to be.

The Inquiry’s acknowledgment that maternity must be seen as a high-priority area in healthcare planning is a crucial and overdue step. Throughout the pandemic, pregnant women and people, those giving birth, and new parents faced disrupted care at some of the most vulnerable times in their lives. For many, this led to trauma, unsafe experiences, and, in some cases, devastating loss.

The PBPO fully supports the Inquiry’s conclusion that partners should never have been treated as “visitors.” Partners are an essential part of pregnancy, labour, birth, neonatal care, and early parenting. Excluding them caused unnecessary harm, increased trauma, and took away important support for both parents and babies.

We especially appreciate that the Inquiry recognises the deep impact on those who experienced pregnancy and baby loss during this period, including partners and wider family members affected. Many faced this heartbreak without the emotional and clinical support they deserved. The inconsistent access to partners and support networks made grief even harder, leaving many to handle unimaginable moments alone.

During this time, many also hesitated to seek care because restrictions, mixed messages, and fear of healthcare settings made them unsure if services were accessible or safe. Instead of encouraging timely contact, which is crucial for spotting risks and complications, policies unintentionally created barriers that delayed critical care.

At the same time, remote appointments were often used instead of in-person assessments, even though they were not suitable for many parts of antenatal care. Important clinical checks, emotional support, and safeguarding discussions could not be effectively done over the phone or via video. For women and people with complications, first-time parents, those with limited access to technology, and families facing social or language barriers, remote care widened existing inequalities. As a result, many women and people missed out on timely, relationship-focused, hands-on care when they needed it most.

It is also important to remember that frontline maternity and neonatal staff worked under immense pressure, often facing unclear, rapidly changing, or delayed national guidance. We acknowledge and deeply appreciate the commitment, compassion, and resilience shown by midwives, neonatal staff, health visitors, and all those who provided essential care during challenging times.

Throughout this period, charities stepped in to fill the gaps, providing emotional support, information, and continuity of care when statutory services were unable to do so. PBPO organisations offered lifelines to families in crisis, but charities should never again be required to replace essential maternity and neonatal services.

We stand ready to work collaboratively to ensure that what families experienced during Covid 19 is fully understood, and never repeated.

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The 17-member taskforce will be chaired by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting, and brings together an expert panel including senior NHS leaders, royal colleges, campaigners, academics and third sector representatives. Collectively, they bring the clinical expertise, lived experience and sector insight needed to drive meaningful change. 

The group will begin preparing for the findings and recommendations of Baroness Amos’ review, with the final report expected in June 2026. 

We are pleased to see organisations such as the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) and Sands represented within the taskforce, alongside voices bringing lived experience into its work. 

However, as this work moves forward, it is essential that pre-24 week pregnancy loss is explicitly included and meaningfully represented within the taskforce’s remit. 

While the investigation has committed to examining care and support for adverse outcomes such as miscarriage, too often those experiencing miscarriage are overlooked in national reviews and system-wide improvements. This is despite the scale of the issue, with around 250,000 pregnancies ending in loss in the UK each year. 

This taskforce presents a vital opportunity to drive meaningful change across maternity and neonatal services. To do so effectively, it must ensure that the voices and needs of those experiencing pre-24 week pregnancy loss are not only acknowledged, but embedded within its work from the outset. 

We stand ready to support this work and to ensure that no one experiencing pregnancy loss is left without the care and support they need. 

The full article from the DHSC can be read, here. The taskforce members include: 

• Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (Chair) 

• Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women’s Health and Mental Health (Deputy Chair and Chair of the Regulators and Investigatory Bodies Expert Reference Group) 

• Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England (Senior Responsible Officer for Maternity) 

• Helen Gittos, Family Representative (Chair of Family Expert Reference Group) 

• Gary Andrews, Family Representative (Chair of Family Expert Reference Group) 

• Cathy Brewster, Family Representative (Chair of Family Expert Reference Group) 

• Lauren Caulfield, Family Representative (Health Equity Expert Reference Group lived experience representative) 

• Habib Naqvi, Chief Executive of the NHS Race and Health Observatory (Chair of the Health Equity Expert Reference Group) 

• Nina Johns, Consultant obstetrician and Clinical Director at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust (Co-chair of Workforce, Clinical and Academic Expert Reference Group) 

• Helen Cheyne, Professor of Maternal and Child Health Research at the University of Stirling and Professor of Midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives (Scotland) (Co-chair of Workforce, Clinical and Academic Expert Reference Group)   

• Avey Bhatia, Chief Nurse at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, co-lead on Patient Safety and Clinical Governance (Senior Health System representative) 

• Louise Stead, CEO of Ashford and St Peter’s and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trusts (Senior Health System representative) 

• Gill Walton, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives 

• Alison Wright, President of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 

• Representative of The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health/British Association of Perinatal Medicine – to be confirmed 

• Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands (Chair of Charity and Third Sector Expert Reference Group) 

• Helene Normann, Senior advisor and Chief Midwifery Officer at the Norwegian Directorate of Health (International Expert) 

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The collaborative has a united vision, that everyone in Scotland deserves access to the care and support they need around pregnancy, baby or infant loss. The event was sponsored by Paul McLennan MSP and co-hosted by our fellow baby loss charities, Held In Our Hearts, Simba, ARC, Baby Loss Retreat, The Lullaby Trust and Sands. 

The evening focused around a key action – asking Members of Scottish Parliament to sign an eight point standard for improving bereavement care in Scotland, asking for:  

• Specialist bereavement care, support and information is accessible to all affected individuals and families, regardless of where they live in Scotland.  

• Dedicated spaces for individuals and families experiencing loss, away from maternity wards.  

• Offering individuals opportunities to acknowledge, honour and remember their loss.  

• Providing individuals and families with high quality and timely psychological and/or emotional support around loss.  

• Clear guidance for professionals which ensures consistency and quality of bereavement care and support for individuals and families.  

• Championing the need for legislative recognition to ensure baby loss is covered in all areas of public policy and planning.  

• Advocating for the role of Third Sector as an equal partner in the delivery of services to individuals and families affected by baby loss.  

• Raising public awareness of the impact of pregnancy, infant and baby loss and challenging societal stigmas.  

With speeches from the leaders of all seven Collaborative charities, Paul McLennan MSP and Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women’s Health, the event was one empowered by collaboration, and calling for real, lasting change.

Our CEO, Vicki Robinson, said in her speech:

“More than 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage, yet as a society, too often we fail to recognise this type of loss, often seeing it as a medical concern or just a blip on the path to parenthood. But for many who go through it, it is a bereavement just like any other.  

“Things are changing. We’re no longer speaking in hushed tones about miscarriage. In Scotland specifically, we have a miscarriage care framework which is a truly excellent foundation for that improved care, but there is still more to do until everyone gets the support and recognition that they deserve in one of the worst times of their lives.”

Left: Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, speaking at the Scottish Baby Loss Collaborative reception at the Scottish Parliament.
Right: Lucy Graham, Head of Operations & Service Delivery at the Miscarriage Association, speaking with attendees at the Miscarriage Association stand.

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But for those who have experienced pregnancy loss, the day can feel very different.

Mother’s Day can bring a mix of emotions: grief for the baby you lost, longing for the future you hoped for, or the quiet pain of feeling left out while others celebrate. For some, it may also bring complicated feelings, moments of love, remembrance and sadness all at once.

However you feel about the day, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

Your feelings are valid

For some, they may feel a sense of invisibility, as though their experience of pregnancy loss isn’t recognised or has been sidelined. Others feel unsure whether they are “allowed” to mark the day at all.

But the love you felt for your baby is real, and the loss you experienced matters. Many people who experience miscarriage still see themselves as a mother to the baby they lost. If that is how you feel, you have every right to mark Mother’s Day in a way that feels right for you.

Pregnancy changes the body in lasting ways. Even at a cellular level, the connection between parent and baby can remain long after loss. This is known as microchimerism, which you can read more about here.

One member of our community shared how isolating the day felt after experiencing miscarriage. You may find comfort in reading their story, and others shared by people who understand what this time can feel like.

Read Lizzie’s story: Mother’s Day

You can also explore more personal stories from people who have experienced pregnancy loss here.

Stories like these remind us that many people are navigating the same complex emotions.

A reminder to be gentle with yourself this Mother’s Day

If Mother’s Day feels difficult this year, it may help to approach the day in whatever way feels most manageable for you.

For some, that might mean stepping back from social media and silencing notifications for the day. Others may find comfort in remembering their baby in a personal way, perhaps by writing a message to them, lighting a candle, or spending time somewhere peaceful.

Some people choose to spend the day with supportive friends or family. Others prefer to keep the day quiet and private.

There is no expectation for how you should spend Mother’s Day after pregnancy loss. What matters most is giving yourself the space to feel whatever you feel.

We’re here if you need support

If you would like to talk to someone who understands, our support services are here for you.

Whether through our helpline, live chat or other support options, we are here to listen and offer understanding during what can be a difficult time.

Find support that’s right for you.

Marking Mother’s Day in memory

Mother’s Day is often associated with flowers and gifts. For some people, choosing to mark the day in a different way can also feel meaningful.

If you would like to honour the memory of a little life lost too soon, you might consider donating the cost of a bunch of flowers to help us continue supporting families experiencing pregnancy loss.

Make a donation

The post When Mother’s Day feels difficult after pregnancy loss appeared first on The Miscarriage Association.

The report, based on the experiences of more than 1,000 people affected by pre-24-week pregnancy loss across the UK, highlights widespread gaps in healthcare, workplace support and societal understanding. It paints a picture of care that is too often inconsistent, unequal and, at times, deeply distressing.

While half of respondents rated their care as good or excellent (34% and 16% respectively), more than a quarter (25.3%) described it as poor or very poor.

Alongside this:

• 68% experienced mental health problems following miscarriage, including grief, depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts.
• 42% of women who wanted treatment for mental health symptoms did not receive it.
• 65% said they did not receive adequate follow-up care.

Healthcare: inconsistent and inadequate

Women described care that varied dramatically depending on where they lived or which healthcare professional they saw. Many reported being sent home with little or no guidance, given conflicting advice, or misdiagnosed.

Access to Early Pregnancy Units, scans and investigations was often dependent on location or clinical discretion. Some respondents described undergoing emergency surgery after ectopic pregnancies were missed, including cases involving avoidable fertility loss.

A recurring theme was lack of dignity. Some women were left without basic provisions such as sanitary pads. Although 65% felt the language used by healthcare professionals was sensitive and appropriate, more than a quarter (26%) had the opposite experience.

One respondent described being told her baby had been “put in the incinerator with the rest of the medical waste.”

Another said her experience was: “Dehumanising – I had to bring the sac into hospital in a Tupperware box where it was treated like a specimen.”

Charlotte, who experienced a ruptured ectopic pregnancy, said:

“I ended up having a rupture and rushed via ambulance for emergency surgery, losing my last remaining tube. I was incredibly depressed after… I almost ended my life from this experience. I now have complex PTSD.”

Jill commented:

“There’s zero emotional or wellbeing checks after something so utterly traumatic. I have been in a very, very dark place with no support.”

Compassionate care should be standard – not dependent on individual practitioners.

Workplaces: limited support and poor awareness

The research also exposes significant gaps in workplace support:

• 57% were not offered any formal support at work after disclosing pregnancy loss.
• 48% said their employer did not have a pregnancy loss policy.
• 28% were unsure whether such a policy existed.
• 60% found their role or working environment emotionally triggering after returning to work.

Many employees were unaware of their rights around pregnancy-related sickness. Fear of stigma or career impact prevented some from disclosing their loss.

Olivia said:

“They forced me to take any time I had off as holiday. Even the day I had my appointment to go into hospital for the medical management had to be used as holiday. They wouldn’t allow any sick leave or compassionate leave at all.”

Society: silence and stigma persist

Beyond healthcare and employment, respondents described isolation in wider society. While friends and family were often supportive at first, support frequently faded over time. Some women lost friendships, and in some cases relationships broke down following miscarriage.

One respondent said:

“The most supportive friends were those that had been through it themselves. Some people, who I thought would be supportive basically just ignored me and those relationships have been damaged as a result.”

The findings highlight the urgent need for greater awareness, education and open conversation about pregnancy loss.

Our call for systemic change

Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, comments:

“Too many women and their partners are being failed by a system that is inconsistent, unequal and too often dictated by chance or circumstance. People told us they felt unheard and diminished, caught between gaps in healthcare, uncertainty at work, and a wider silence that leaves miscarriage poorly understood and acknowledged.

“This is not about blaming individuals. Many examples of compassionate care exist, and we are working to build on these through our free specialist training for healthcare professionals. But when support depends on where you are, who you speak to, or how well systems join up, too many people are left facing additional physical harm and lasting psychological distress at an already vulnerable time.

“Change must be systemic. Clear, consistent aftercare following pregnancy loss should be available to all. Until pregnancy loss is properly acknowledged, too many people will continue to face miscarriage without the care, support and recognition they need and deserve.”

We are calling for urgent action, including:

• Routine follow-up care offered after every miscarriage.
• Timely access to Early Pregnancy Units, including direct referrals and weekend availability.
• Expanded bereavement care provision through specialist training.
• Protected time for healthcare professionals to access compassionate communication training.
• Guaranteed dignity and privacy in all hospital settings.
• Full implementation of bereavement leave under the forthcoming Employment Rights Act, alongside stronger workplace pregnancy loss policies.
• Action from the National Maternity Safety Investigation to ensure pre-24-week pregnancy loss is given equal prominence to later gestation outcomes.
• A national effort to break the stigma surrounding pregnancy loss.

Myleene Klass, a champion of the Miscarriage Association and MBE recipient for her campaigning on miscarriage, said:

“Pregnancy loss is not a niche issue, it affects thousands each year. Yet many still struggle to access the care and understanding they deserve. This research by the Miscarriage Association is an important step in holding the system to account and pushing for meaningful change. We must listen to those with lived experience and make miscarriage care a priority.”

Andy Macnae MP, Chair of the APPG on Baby Loss, said:

“This is an important report and very much aligns with what we have heard on the Baby Loss APPG. Despite pockets of good practice and many compassionate, committed professionals, too many families are still being failed.

“The National Maternity Safety Investigation, being chaired by Baroness Amos, must lead to the systemic change across all aspects of maternity and neonatal care. Consistent, empathic aftercare following pregnancy lost must be part of that.”

This report provides a timely and detailed picture of miscarriage care in the UK today. The experiences shared make clear that change must be systemic – so that no one faces pregnancy loss without the care, support and recognition they need and deserve.

Jackie Ross, Chair of the Association of Early Pregnancy Units, said:

“The Association of Early Pregnancy Units is deeply saddened by the experiences shared in the Miscarriage Association’s State of the Nation Report. We recognise the distress caused when care falls short of the compassionate, dignified, timely and consistent standard people deserve.

“We support their call for systemic change and remain committed to working collaboratively to strengthen early pregnancy services across the UK, ensuring safe, evidence-based and person-centred care for all those affected by early pregnancy loss.”

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care described losing a baby as “heartbreaking” and said the report’s findings were “unacceptable”.

Download and read the full report, including key findings, recommendations and lived experience testimonials below.

Read the full report

Support our work

Following the publication of Miscarriage Care in the UK, we will continue to campaign for better care — advocating for routine follow-up after miscarriage, strengthening the role of Early Pregnancy Units (EPUs), supporting the effective implementation of bereavement leave under the Employment Rights Act, and challenging stigma and silence around pregnancy loss.

Later this year, we will launch a public-facing campaign focused on securing mandatory aftercare following miscarriage. To drive this work forward and ensure meaningful improvements in care, follow-up and compassion, we need your support. If you are able, please consider making a donation today. Because every loss matters.

Donate to support this work

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In response, Vicki Robinson, Miscarriage Association Chief Executive, said:

“We welcome the interim report’s spotlight on systemic issues identified within maternity and neonatal care — particularly around compassionate communication, safety and accountability. However, miscarriage and early pregnancy loss do not yet feature explicitly in the published interim findings, despite affecting around 200,000 pregnancies in the UK every year.

“We call on the investigation team to ensure that the final report and recommendations explicitly reflect the experiences of people affected by miscarriage and early pregnancy loss, including variation in care and gaps in support.

“This is essential to ensure the investigation’s outcomes truly represent the full spectrum of pregnancy experiences and drive improvements across the entire care pathway.”

The report identifies serious systemic issues, drawing on evidence from more than 400 families and thousands of responses to the public Call for Evidence. Families described inconsistent care, feeling dismissed, and not receiving clear explanations when things went wrong — experiences that have led to significant distress, trauma and a loss of trust.

The interim findings also point to wider pressures within services, including significant demand and capacity pressures, and ongoing inequalities such as racism and discrimination. Together, these issues underline the need for improvement and action to ensure safe, equitable and compassionate care.

The investigation is still open, and we encourage all those affected by miscarriage and pregnancy loss to share their experiences and help inform meaningful change.

The Call for Evidence is open to the public until 17th March 2026. Responses can be submitted here: matneoinv.org.uk/call-for-evidence

For more information on the National Maternity and Neonatal Investigation, visit our recent post here.

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