To start the year (albeit a bit late – I’ve only just recovered from Christmas meltdown season), I thought a series of blog posts would encourage me to actually make time to blog, whilst also covering a selection of research and campaign issues that I think are important to highlight.

In this first post of the series – to recognise that the reason I first started this blog was to help me through the frustration and pain of miscarriage – I’m looking at what progress has been made over the last couple of years to encourage open conversation around pregnancy loss, and the jumps forward towards providing further understanding and support.

Tommy’s #togetherforchange campaign:

Baby charity Tommy’s launched its #togetherforchange campaign, challenging the silence that often surrounds pregnancy and baby loss. It focuses on social media and both the overwhelming support that can be found here and the more difficult challenges it can bring, such as dealing with the positive pregnancy news of others. Included in the campaign are a short film and eight videos, along with a support forum.

You can find out more here.

The Miscarriage Association’s #SimplySay campaign:

The Miscarriage Association launched its #SimplySay campaign to help others understand the best ways to support those going through miscarriage. Reactions to loss differ from person to person, and it can be difficult and confusing to know what to say and do. A set of resources has been designed to help people navigate this complex path.

Find out more here.

Parental Leave and Pay Bill becomes law:

After many years of campaigning, the right to paid leave for bereaved parents became law under the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Bill. Expected to come into force in 2020, employed parents who lose a child under 18 or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy will receive two weeks leave. It is the first law of its kind in UK history and an important step towards providing more support to those who experience this devastating loss. It is now important that it is implemented as promised, and that there is recognition of the need to widen the scope to the self-employed.

You can find out more and keep an eye on progress here, here and here.

Allowing the registration of births before 24 weeks:

Currently there is no provision in UK law to allow the registration of a baby lost before 24 weeks. This can be very distressing for those parents who want this event to be recognised more formally. MP Tim Loughton has raised a Private Members’ Bill, currently making its way through Parliament, to enable a change in the law. Hopefully, this will mean that grieving parents are given this option in the future, but the bill still has some way to go.

You can find out more about its progress here as well as The Miscarriage Association’s position here.

For further support, #BabyLossHour on Twitter each Tuesday at 8pm is a great source of help, advice and conversation around baby loss.

Next week’s post will look at the research currently taking place to understand the causes of pregnancy loss and how to reduce it, as well as how you can take part.

Main image from Pixabay.