Latest news with #MiscarriageAssociationofIreland
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Irish Examiner view: Sobering truths over miscarriages
The Irish Examiner National Women's Health Survey, conducted by Ipsos B&A, has provided plenty of food for thought in recent days — articulating as it does many of the most pressing challenges facing women in today's Ireland. A prime example of those challenges is miscarriage. The survey results indicate that one quarter of women have experienced a miscarriage, though that rate doubles among those experiencing fertility issues. It is sobering to realise that miscarriage rates are so high — that one of the most grievous losses that anyone can endure occurs that often. The only sliver of consolation to be taken from this situation is the presumption that our health services deal with miscarriage so often that they have a well-established procedure for helping the women involved. It is surely safe to believe that a tried and trusted system of aftercare and counselling immediately clicks into action when a miscarriage occurs. Unfortunately, the survey suggests the exact opposite — with a significant proportion of women expressing specific dissatisfaction with aftercare services. Six in 10 of the women surveyed said the availability of supports such as counselling is lacking, a similar number reported that follow up from healthcare providers was insufficient. Almost half of respondents were critical of the quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, rating it as poor or very poor. Those sentiments were endorsed by those active in this area, with Jennifer Duggan of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland saying: 'They unfortunately tally with what we hear ourselves from women we speak with.' It seems difficult to believe that, in the 21st century, we are in need of better information, better follow-up services, and better counselling for women who have experienced a miscarriage. Readers should also consider other findings in the survey, such as the proportion of women who often feel lonely or isolated — over one third of those surveyed. If services and supports in the case of the terrible experience of miscarriage are this inadequate, that figure is hardly surprising. An Garda Síochána: Trust in the force declining Readers will be aware of a court case this week in which Margaret Loftus gave details, in a victim impact statement, of her abuse at the hands of her then-husband Trevor Bolger in 2012. She concluded with a call to those enduring similar abuse to come forward and to testify, but that is far from the end of this case's significance. As outlined by Mick Clifford here on Thursday, serious questions arise from this case because both Ms Loftus and Bolger were members of An Garda Síochána when this abuse occurred, some of which took place in a Garda station. The case has revealed some disturbing facts about how our police force functions. Bolger was promoted to detective after investigations into his conduct regarding Ms Loftus had already begun — after he had been interviewed by gardaí assigned to investigate that matter, in fact. No action was taken against him until Ms Loftus contacted a senior garda, while her application for a transfer was approved and then rescinded without explanation. To learn that this is occurring in the State body charged with public safety is deeply worrying. What's your view on this issue? You can tell us here It has been a difficult few weeks for An Garda Síochána at all levels. The handling of high-profile cases such as the killing of Tina Satchwell has been the subject of widespread criticism. Garda Commissioner Drew Harris's comments on the costs of training a cadaver dog seemed misplaced, at best, at the unveiling of a million-euro water cannon. The ongoing saga of finding a replacement for Mr Harris is also disheartening, particularly as senior officers' pension arrangements appear to be a serious obstacle to any appointment. The details of this latest case will hardly encourage women to report abuse and to escape dangerous domestic circumstances, given Ms Loftus's treatment. They may also contribute to a general decline in trust in the gardaí as a whole. Henry Mount Charles: Deliverer of joy The death of Henry Mount Charles after a long illness was confirmed by his family this week. He was aged 74. For many, he will always be associated with some of the biggest names in rock music, having masterminded decades of concerts at Slane Castle, beginning with Thin Lizzy in 1981. In the 70s, he took over the running of Slane when it was in financial difficulties, and identified the natural amphitheatre in the grounds as an ideal location for large-scale gigs. Henry Mountcharles will always be associated with some of the biggest names in rock music, having masterminded decades of concerts at Slane Castle. After Thin Lizzy, the likes of the Rolling Stones, Oasis, REM, David Bowie, and others played to vast crowds at the Meath venue. Those events helped to introduce Irish concertgoers to the concept of large-scale festivals, which are now popular all over the country. In accent, pedigree, and bearing, Henry Mount Charles was unmistakably a member of the aristocracy, yet he was affectionately regarded in Ireland though he came to prominence when the Troubles were at their height. His standing was no doubt boosted by the quality of the musical acts he was able to present to an Irish public starved, in the early 80s at least, of genuine international stars. He was also remarkably frank in a recent RTÉ documentary about his struggles with alcohol, crediting U2's Adam Clayton with helping him to get sober — it was good to hear him say then he had achieved a level of peace. He brought a great deal of joy to hundreds of thousands of Irish people. Read More Irish Examiner view: Insights can reveal the way forward
Irish Examiner
10 hours ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Miscarriage: It can be really hard when you don't know what to expect
The vast majority of women who suffer a miscarriage in Ireland feel unsupported by doctors, and have criticised a lack of counselling around such trauma. Only a third of women feel their GPs provide enough support in the aftermath of miscarriage, with family and friends picking up the slack in two thirds of cases. Similarly, just a third believe support from healthcare professionals to be good. The Irish Examiner National Women's Health Survey, conducted by Ipsos B&A, found that one in four women experience miscarriage. Among women who have experienced fertility issues, the figure rises to almost 50%. In the survey of 1,000 women in Ireland, aftercare support receives the loudest criticism. Six in 10 women said the availability of supports such as counselling is lacking. A similar number reports that follow-up from healthcare providers is insufficient. Jennifer Duggan, chairperson of the Miscarriage Association of Ireland, said the findings align with the organisation's experience: 'They, unfortunately, tally with what we hear ourselves from women we speak to." Almost half criticised the quality of information provided by healthcare professionals, citing it as poor or very poor. 'It can be really hard when you don't know what to expect. "You might be told that you may bleed heavily, but you don't know how heavy is too heavy, or how painful is too painful," said Ms Duggan. It can be really scary and frightening to go through that with little to no information. Naomi Collins, 45, from Galway, had her first miscarriage when she was 10 weeks pregnant. At the hospital, she was told that the spotting would progress to miscarriage and that she should go home and wait for it to happen. 'That was the extent of the help I got in the hospital, and nobody checked up on me after that. That was disappointing,' she said. 'The overwhelming feeling was that I felt hollow." Naomi Collins from Corrandulla, Co Galway, miscarried at 10 weeks. Picture: Ray Ryan Given that one in four women miscarry, she said: "There are an awful lot of people who are not aware whatsoever that the woman sitting next to them at work has had a miscarriage, the woman next to you on the bus has had a miscarriage." Some green shoots are emerging in follow-up care. The Irish Family Planning Association (IFPA) announced earlier this month that it is expanding its counselling service to include women and couples who experience recurrent pregnancy loss. The HSE-funded pilot project is available to anyone who has two or more miscarriages in a row, offering up to eight free counselling sessions. "The grief that accompanies miscarriage is real and deeply felt," says the IFPA's counselling director, Clare O'Brien. We don't want anyone to feel isolated and alone. We want them to know they can speak to us about their loss, fear and frustrations without judgment — and with total confidentiality and support. In April, University College Cork's Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG) made a series of resources available to women who experience miscarriage. The resources include accessible booklets that answer questions such as what happens next and what supports are available, and provide details of other women's lived experiences. In response to the survey's findings on miscarriage, Professor Keelin O'Donoghue, PLRG lead and obstetrician at Cork University Maternity Hospital, said: "Pregnancy loss is a common life experience for many women. "Everybody will experience it differently and will have different needs in their care and support after it happens. "The awareness of what is needed and why this is important is improving, but slowly, and there is much more work to be done across society, policy, health services, and communities with regard to pregnancy loss care and supports more generally." Resources are available on the Pregnancy Loss website —
Irish Independent
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
More recognition and support required for individuals and families experiencing pregnancy loss
The cross-party group has been initiated by Sinn Féin Senator Nicole Ryan who held an Oireachtas briefing on pregnancy loss. Sinn Féin Senator Ryan wants to drive Oireachtas reform regarding policy change and service improvement for people who experience pregnancy loss. The Cork politician hosted a powerful and informative Oireachtas briefing titled: 'Policy change and service improvement for people who experience pregnancy loss: An ambition for the 34th Dáil and 27th Seanad.' The session focused on addressing the lack of recognition, support, and rights for individuals and families experiencing pregnancy loss before 23 weeks' gestation. The event featured expert contributions from Professor Keelin O'Donoghue and Dr Marita Hennessy, leading researchers from University College Cork, alongside representatives from the Miscarriage Association of Ireland and Féileacáin. During the briefing, key recommendations were shared to guide legislative and policy reform in the area of early pregnancy loss. These included an acknowledgement and certification of pregnancy loss under 23 weeks through a national registration system and statutory paid leave for workers who experience pregnancy loss, grounded in findings from the PLACES Project. Another recommendation was the implementation of a new national model of miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage care, informed by the RE:CURRENT Project Speaking at the session Professor O'Donoghue underlined the urgency of political action. 'There is no one thing we can do to foster an equitable, impactful system of care. It requires several action. We know what these are. We have the evidence and they are all within our powers to do.' In response to this call for collaboration, Senator Ryan has formally launched a Cross-Party Oireachtas Group on Pregnancy and Infant Loss, which will serve as a forum to drive coordinated, compassionate policy development and ensure the voices of those affected are heard at every level. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more This follows Senator Ryan's recent introduction of the Pregnancy Loss (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025, which proposes a statutory period of paid leave following pregnancy loss under 23 weeks, as well as the establishment of an opt-in national register for bereaved families. As part of her ongoing commitment to breaking the silence and building a compassionate, informed movement, Senator Ryan also announced that a series of public workshops will take place this summer in collaboration with The Bábóg Project. The workshops — titled "The Space Between: Spaces of Stillness" — will run from July to September and will offer space for healing, remembrance, and connection through shared creative expression. Each event will include reflective doll-making in honour of lost pregnancies, with proceeds donated to the Miscarriage Association of Ireland. Subsidised tickets will be available for those who need them. Speaking after the event, Senator Ryan said the grief of pregnancy loss doesn't end in silence. 'This is about more than just policy. It's about recognition, compassion, and justice. Our laws and services must reflect that.' The Cross-Party Oireachtas Group will begin meeting in the coming weeks, with a view to progressing shared policy goals ahead of Budget 2026.
Irish Independent
05-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Independent
Ireland's 17th memorial stone for babies lost before, during and after birth unveiled in Wicklow
The stone, at Bray's Springfield Cemetery, is now the 17th such stone in the country, and was over a year in the works for Beth Walsh, who secured funding from The Miscarriage Association of Ireland. The association is aware that some babies lost through miscarriage have their own resting place in a family plot or grave, but there are some babies who only get to share in women's lives very briefly, and they have no lasting marker, or no resting place at all. Countless numbers of parents have reached out to the association expressing their wish to have a permanent feature to commemorate their baby, a peaceful place to visit, where they could spend some quiet time in reflection and to remember. For Beth, Bray's Springfield Cemetery couldn't have provided a more beautiful setting for the memorial stone that she unveiled on Wednesday, April 30, high up in the grounds with its backdrop of the Sugarloaf Mountain. Fr Michael O'Kelly was there on a day blessed with sunshine, to give a blessing of his own and to share a few thoughtful words to remember all the women who, like Beth, have experienced loss but feel there is no place there for them to grieve. Also present at the unveiling were Beth's husband, Arturo Zindel and little baby Sebastian, along with Springfield Cemetery registrar Tony McNerney and caretaker Kevin Cullinan. Remarking on the 'beautiful space' that Tony and Kevin had provided, Beth hoped that it will now serve as a place for women to feel a 'little bit less alone in their experience', if they have gone through a miscarriage. 'I had two losses over the last few years, and I remember speaking to a doctor, in Holles Street, and they told me that for the majority of women that lose babies, they don't have a place that they can go to grieve,' Beth said. "I just started to research ways that you could remember babies that you've lost and came across the initiative from the Miscarriage Association of Ireland. So the association sponsored the stone, but the request comes from the community. There is one in Greystones, so I asked them if we could get one placed here. And I got permission from Wicklow County Council to get it placed. 'Unless you've gone through it, I don't think you really understand how lonely the experience can be,' she said, of her own loss. 'I just thought this is something that would be great for the community. It's a place where all women can go, to feel a little bit less alone in their experience. Also, I think it's really important for women, especially women, to have a place to be able to grieve their loss. Because oftentimes people will will go through that loss and, you know, they have nothing to show for it afterwards. So this is a place where they can feel united in their loss with other people, I guess. Because I think it's not spoken about enough and I think women can be forgotten.' At the ceremony, Beth read a poem that she had chosen for the occasion, by Donna Ashworth, called Love Came First, because 'it just reminds me of the experience of losing a baby'. The closing line is: 'Remember. Grief came to you my friend, because love came first.'
