New Website to Help Parents Who Suffer a Pregnancy Loss

02.05.2019

Parents who are grieving the loss of a baby can access a new website which aims to offer information and support. The website, pregnancyandinfantloss.ie, has been set up by the INFANT Centre at University College Cork, in partnership with the Irish Hospice Foundation. It aims to provide a valuable resource for parents who experience pregnancy loss or perinatal death.

A spokeswoman said it has accessible information on a sensitive and often stigmatised subject. It also shares the latest research into the causes of baby loss, promotes emotional well-being, and offers details on how to access the appropriate support services.

Dr Keelin O’Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital and Principal Investigator at INFANT, Ireland’s only dedicated perinatal research centre said, “The website is a step forward in our commitment to consistent quality care for parents, as well as education and support for maternity staff while raising awareness of pregnancy loss and recognising its wide impact.”

Dr O’Donoghue and her team at INFANT, UCC, are leading investigations into the causes of pregnancy loss and perinatal death.

Supported by funding from the Irish Hospice Foundation, the website is an initiative of the Implementation Group for the National Standards for Bereavement Care Following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death.

Irish Hospice Foundation CEO Sharon Foley acknowledged the impact that pregnancy loss and infant death have on families in Ireland.

“The IHF is very proud to support the new national pregnancy loss website,” she said. “The loss of a child is devastating to any parent. Grieving parents should be able to access sensitive and consistent bereavement care at every stage of their journey and in every location throughout Ireland.”

Irish Independent. April 15.