10,000 babies could be saved each year through new miscarriage scheme

An early care scheme for women who have suffered miscarriages could save an estimated 10,000 unborn lives a year, researchers have suggested.

The scheme, trialled at Birmingham Women and Children’s Hospital, provides increasing care to mothers following each miscarriage to enable them to give birth to future children.

Currently, the NHS requires a woman to lose three babies before offering tests, support and treatment. But the study found that its system carried a 4 per cent lower risk of future loss.

‘Saving lives’

Tommy’s, the pregnancy and baby charity behind the new support model, estimated that there are around 250,000 miscarriages in the UK each year.

The organisation criticised the “3 miscarriage wait” for leaving “countless families unsupported, their grief unrecognised and opportunities to improve their situation – and possibly prevent further loss – missed”.

In contrast, it explained that the new system is “easily achievable, restores dignity to miscarriage care and, ultimately, could save babies’ lives”.

‘Precious’

Sally, 33, who has lost two babies, explained: “Putting these systems in place show women that they are thought about, that one miscarriage is enough to be thought about and to be supported”.

Baroness Merron, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department of Health and Social Care, also welcomed the study: “Pregnancy and baby loss can have a devastating impact on women and families, who too often feel they have been left without the care and support they need. Research like this is crucial”.

The Christian Institute’s Head of Communications Angus Saul explained: “Losing a child in the womb will always be a tragedy. What has been unacceptable is that, for many years, women who have gone through this trauma have not had adequate access to proper follow-up care.

“This study shows that proper investment in pregnancy care does not just help women, although that is crucial, but it can also save the lives of unborn babies in the future. Every child is precious and is made in the image of God, and these lives should be cherished, no matter how small they may be.”