New statistics show that 50% of UK adults said that they, or someone they know, had experienced at least one form of pregnancy or baby loss.

The YouGov survey figures have been released to coincide with the start of Baby Loss Awareness Week, which runs from 9-15 October 2023.

Twins Trust Bereavement Service is marking the 21st year of Baby Loss Awareness Week. The week is a chance for everyone in the baby loss community and beyond to come together to remember and commemorate much-loved and missed babies.

The survey was commissioned by an alliance of more than 130 charities led by Sands, Tommy’s, Bliss, The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, The Lullaby Trust and The Miscarriage Association. Twins Trust is part of the alliance.

The most commonly mentioned type of loss in the survey was a form of miscarriage (40%), followed by stillbirth (13%), ectopic pregnancy (12%), termination for medical reasons (6%), neonatal death (5%), and molar pregnancy (2%). Survey respondents were asked to select all types of loss that applied. Only 40% of those asked said they or someone they know had never experienced pregnancy loss or baby loss, while 6% answered “prefer not to say” and 4% answered “don’t know”. A higher proportion of women (62%) said that they or someone they knew had been affected compared to men (38%).

 

 

Clea Harmer, Chief Executive of Sands and Chair of the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance, said: “This latest survey demonstrates the scale of pregnancy and baby loss across the UK. What we must remember is that behind these numbers are people who have experienced a deeply personal loss. There’s no set way to grieve or remember a pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, but what we do know is that appropriate, timely and sensitive bereavement support can be hugely beneficial.

“The percentage of women reporting they know someone affected, compared to men, suggests that there is still a stark difference between women and men talking about pregnancy and baby loss. One of the aims of Baby Loss Awareness Week is to support anyone impacted by pregnancy or baby loss to feel comfortable if they wish to speak openly about their loss, and to educate others about this subject. With so many people touched by this issue, we need to break the silence and ensure more people are supported to navigate their lives after loss.”

The charities in the Baby Loss Awareness Alliance are calling for anyone affected by pregnancy or baby loss to reach out and access emotional support if they need it.

Shauna Leven, Chief Executive of Twins Trust, said: “This week, we will mark Baby Loss Awareness Week by sharing stories from our families. We know it’s a tough week for many members of our community and our thoughts are with them.

“The week will culminate in the Wave of Light, and we will be lighting a candle and reading the names of babies who have died.”

 

Take part in the Wave of Light

The global Wave of Light will take place at 7pm on 15 October. This is a special time when everyone is invited, wherever they are in the world, to light a candle at 7pm local time as a special mark of support and remembrance for all babies who have died, and pregnancies lost. Anyone can join a digital Wave of Light from 7pm on 15 October by posting a photo of their candle to Instagram, Facebook or Twitter with the hashtag #WaveOfLight.

 

Ask your MP to attend parliamentary debate

On Thursday 19 October the annual parliamentary debate on baby loss will take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. The debate will focus on progress since the Ockenden Report into maternity services at The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (SaTH). It will be led by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Baby Loss Co-chair Helen Morgan MP, whose constituency is covered by the trust.

The Baby Loss Awareness Alliance is calling on everyone to ask their MP to attend the debate to speak up for bereaved parents and help save babies’ lives.