Skip to Content

Research

At Queen’s we are leading several research projects which aim to impact policy and healthcare practice related to pregnancy loss.

 

Supporting Women’s Mental Health after Pregnancy Loss (The PEARL Study)

'Co-development and piloting of a nurse- and midwife-led bereavement programme for women'

The PEARL study aims to co-develop with key stakeholders an evidence-based nurse and midwife-led bereavement programme and explore its impact and acceptability for supporting women’s mental health following pregnancy loss. The team plan to co-produce training materials for nurses and midwives suitable for use in academic and clinical education settings in the UK.

Principal Investigator: Dr Áine Aventin 

Co-investigators: Dr Suzanne Heaney, Dr Martina Galeotti, Dr Felicity Kalu, Dr Martin Robinson

Pregnancy Loss, Self-Compassion and Trauma (The PRESENT Study)

‘Adaptation of cognitive-behavioural interventions for parents in Northern Ireland experiencing baby loss following fetal anomaly diagnosis’

The PRESENT study aims to explore the use of compassion- and trauma-focused interventions to promote the mental health of people experiencing pregnancy loss. The current phase of the study explores adapting cognitive-behavioural interventions for use with parents who experience baby loss following a fetal anomaly diagnosis. The study aims to develop detailed plans for the adaptation, implementation, and evaluation of the original interventions in Northern Ireland.

Principal Investigator: Dr Áine Aventin 

Co-investigators: Dr Suzanne Heaney, Dr Martina Galeotti, Dr Martin Robinson

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Dr Eric Spikol

Pregnancy Loss Pocket Guide

‘Evaluation of a Pregnancy Loss Pocket Guide for health professionals supporting women and their partners during miscarriage’

This study aims to develop and evaluate a pocket guide for health professionals who care for women who experience miscarriage in hospital settings in Northern Ireland. The guide will provide information that healthcare professionals can consult on how to interact with women and their partners who experience miscarriage. The pocket guide will be available either online or hardcopy.

Principal Investigator: Dr Martina Galeotti

Co-investigators: Dr Áine Aventin , Dr Martin Robinson

Post-Doctoral Research Fellow: Dr Eric Spikol

 

Miscarriage and Mental Health

‘Meeting the Emotional Needs of Women Who Experience Pregnancy Loss in Hospital Settings in Northern Ireland’

Miscarriage represents a traumatic event for many women, and it may result in the development of long/short-term psychological difficulties. To date, there is a lack of evidence exploring women’s perceptions of factors impacting their emotional wellbeing, and how best to support those who experience miscarriage in hospital settings in Northern Ireland.  The study involved a scoping review of the literature, an online survey of a 723 women who experienced miscarriage, and interviews with 20 women; 8 narrative accounts with women and 24 with health professionals. It led to the creation of a guide for health professionals.

Principal Investigator: Dr Martina Galeotti

Co-investigator: Dr Áine Aventin  

 

 

Pregnancy Loss Education

‘Evaluation of a pregnancy loss education intervention for undergraduate nursing students in Northern Ireland: A pre-post-test study’

Research highlights the importance of compassionate communication, adequate delivery of information, and professional support to help alleviate parental distress following pregnancy loss. However, many healthcare professionals do not feel sufficiently trained to deal with pregnancy loss in practice. We aimed to address this deficiency with an evidence-informed educational intervention to increase knowledge, skills, self-awareness, and confidence regarding pregnancy loss among UK nursing students. The educational intervention increased student nurses’ perceived knowledge, confidence, and skills in caring for families experiencing pregnancy loss.

Principal Investigator: Dr Áine Aventin  

Co-investigators: Dr Martina Galeotti, Dr Suzanne Heaney, Dr Martin Robinson

The Bluebell Study

 

A qualitative study of the healthcare experiences and needs of parents following Termination of pregnancy For Medical Reasons (TFMR)’

Access to termination of pregnancy, including TFMR, in Ireland (IE) and Northern Ireland (NI) was highly restrictive until recent changes in legislation in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Prior to these changes, women from both jurisdictions had to travel, mainly to England, to receive TFMR care. Evidence highlights TFMR is a complex experience with parents reporting high, and prolonged levels of trauma symptoms, stress and grief. Furthermore, specific complexities attached to this group relate to stigma, shame and self-silencing. Research into TFMR has primarily been undertaken in countries where it is legal and services provided.  The aim of this study was to explore the healthcare experiences and needs of women and their partners who have a termination of pregnancy following an antenatal diagnosis of fetal anomaly.

Principal Investigator: Dr Suzanne Heaney

Co-investigator: Dr Áine Aventin

PhD Researchers aligned with the Queen's on Pregnancy Loss group:

Close Menu - Off Canvas