A (co-produced) roadmap for professionals to help navigate psychosocial aspects of pregnancy care after previous baby loss

The death of a baby during pregnancy, birth or in infancy is an intensely traumatic event for the mother and her family, often coupled with prolonged grief. Many women who suffer such loss go on to conceive another baby during this psychologically fragile period. Although pregnancy after loss may bring hope, it also comes with exceptionally high anxiety and distress. Pregnancy after loss is often not recognised as an acutely vulnerable time. There can also be reluctance on the part of health professionals to talk about previous loss, which means that many families are left to cope with distress on their own. Whilst many caregivers receive training in how to break bad news and support bereaved parents around the time of loss, few receive guidance on how to optimally care for parents during a subsequent pregnancy. However, if the psychosocial aspects are negotiated with skill and the right support, pregnancy after loss can be a time with significant potential for healing.This article, co-created by parents who have experienced pregnancy after the death of a baby or child and health professionals, aims to close this gap, with reflections on how trauma and grief impact women and partners in subsequent pregnancies. We offer advice to health professionals on how to navigate the complex psychological journey of pregnancy care after loss by focusing on organisational aspects as well as communication strategies that allow for a pregnancy experience with a better relationship to health professionals as well as the new baby.