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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Improving care in pregnancies after perinatal loss: A national survey of maternity services in Australia
Women and Birth, Vol.39(1), pp.1-9
2026
PMID: 41564619
Abstract
Problem
Pregnancy following perinatal loss is associated with significant parental anxiety and potential increased risks of adverse perinatal outcomes.
Background
Standard antenatal care often fails to meet the needs of these families. As care provision varies widely across services, the most effective care model remains unclear.
Aim
To gain an overview of current pregnancy after perinatal loss practice across Australian maternity services.
Methods
National web-based survey administered to hospital-based maternity services, completed by a senior clinician or administrator from each service. Data were analysed descriptively.
Findings
Sixty-one maternity services responded. Obstetrician involvement was the most consistent element of care, reported “always” by 83 % of services and “sometimes” by 17 %. Specialist midwives were absent in 51 % of services, and 70 % did not offer antenatal classes for pregnancy after loss. While 44 % of services had a written policy/guideline for pregnancy after loss care – which appeared to emphasise medical over psychosocial care – 77 % lacked a dedicated model or specialised service. The most common barrier to providing pregnancy after loss care was the absence of a specialist bereavement role (52 %), with only 7 % reporting a lack of support from clinical staff.
Discussion
Despite high levels of clinician support for better meeting the needs of women during pregnancies after perinatal loss, dedicated services were infrequently reported and appeared to focus on medical components of care over psychosocial support.
Conclusion
Addressing policy, administrative, and workforce barriers may be an important step towards improving care for women and families during pregnancies after perinatal loss.
Details
- Title
- Improving care in pregnancies after perinatal loss: A national survey of maternity services in Australia
- Authors
- Siobhan A Loughnan (Corresponding Author) - Mater ResearchAleena M Wojcieszek - Mater ResearchIda Stevia Diget - Mater ResearchJacinda Wilson - Mater ResearchChristine Andrews - Mater ResearchFrances M Boyle - Mater ResearchAdrienne Gordon - Mater ResearchAlexander E P Heazell - University of ManchesterAmy Cooper - Red Nose Australia (Australia)Vanessa Postle - Royal Prince Alfred HospitalAnne Sneddon - Women’s Healthcare Australasia (Australia)Elizabeth McCarthy - Mercy Hospital for WomenSusannah Hopkins Leisher - Mater ResearchBarbara Vernon - Women’s Healthcare Australasia (Australia)Sean Seeho - The University of SydneyKathina Ali - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - PsychologySailesh Kumar - The University of QueenslandVicki Flenady - Mater ResearchDavid Ellwood - Mater Research
- Publication details
- Women and Birth, Vol.39(1), pp.1-9
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Date published
- 2026
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.wombi.2026.102162
- ISSN
- 1878-1799; 1871-5192
- PMID
- 41564619
- Copyright note
- © 2026 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Australian College of Midwives. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Grant note
- We acknowledge funding provided by the Sydney2CAMberra ride charity. We thank Mater Foundation for its contribution.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Health - Psychology
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991200022402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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