Evidence-based guidance for parents navigating early pregnancy loss and care in subsequent pregnancies

Annually, 1 in every 100 pregnancies at or beyond 20 weeks of pregnancy ends with the death of a baby (stillbirth or neonatal death). This number dramatically rises when early pregnancy loss (before 20 weeks) is included. Many parents will become pregnant again shortly following their loss. Pregnancy following loss is a daunting prospect and a period of intense fear and anxiety for many parents who have previously experienced perinatal loss.

We will develop two evidence-based parent information resources based on best practice care recommendations. These resources aim to empower parents to understand their care options and make decisions that best meet their individual needs.

Both guides will:

• be co-designed with bereaved parents and healthcare professionals,
• support the psychosocial and emotional wellbeing of parents and provide strategies and tools important in navigating their journey from the time of loss through to future pregnancy planning, and pregnancies after loss,
• provide healthcare professionals with a tool to promote and support parent-centred decision-making and provide the best possible care to families,
• be based on the Stillbirth CRE and PSANZ Care Around Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Clinical Practice Guideline, and the RANZCOG Clinical Practice Guideline for early pregnancy loss.
• be available as a printed booklet and as a digital resource,
• be pilot-tested and refined based on parent feedback,
• be implemented nationally including ongoing evaluation to explore the impact and reach of these resources and outcomes for families.

Resources available from August 2025.

Research Team (alphabetical): Coordinating team: Fran Boyle, Louis de Waal, Ida Stevia Diget, David Ellwood, Vicki Flenady, Ann Lancaster (Lead Writer), and Cherie Martin. Early pregnancy loss Working Group: Fabricio Costa, Kathleen Goldsmith, Meagan James, Sarah Janssens, Brianne Mackinnon, Sam Payne, Jen Wilkinson, and Erin Wilson. Subsequent pregnancy Working Group: Stacey Fletcher, Alex Heazell, Susannah Leisher Hopkins, Kelly Robinson, Rob Saunders, Sean Seeho, Sarah Skellern, and Claire Storey,