Parenting while grieving: the impact of baby loss

The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of pregnancy or baby loss on families, and their ability to access suitable support. Miscarriage and stillbirth are not rare events and losing a baby can have an overwhelming and long-term impact on parents and on existing and subsequent children.

This paper provides an overview of current relevant research, policy and practice.

Much research and service provision focuses on pregnancy or baby loss for parents without living children. This is predicated on the widely held assumption that existing children provide a protective factor mitigating the loss and going on to have another child is the best antidote to grief. Research does not substantiate this but highlights the difficulties parents experience when coping with pregnancy or baby loss alongside the needs of looking after existing children.

The identification of a “hidden” group of parents and children whose mental health and wellbeing is at risk without the provision of services. A tailored approach to the needs of the family is called for, including greater collaboration between statutory and third sector organisations.