St Thomas’ shines a light on early pregnancy loss with new bereavement suites

St Thomas’ Hospital has opened its first dedicated bereavement suite to improve support for families experiencing early pregnancy loss, with a second suite due to open in the near future.

Funded by Guy’s & St Thomas’ Charity, the suite opened today (15 October) within the hospital’s gynaecology ward, to coincide with International Baby Loss Awareness Week.

Research nurse and early pregnancy specialist Leanna Brace led on the project at St Thomas’, after identifying a gap in support for parents experiencing baby loss before 18 weeks of pregnancy.

Leanna said: “We know that early pregnancy loss – including terminations for medical reasons, miscarriage, ectopic and molar pregnancies – can be deeply traumatic for expectant parents, often leading to depression, anxiety and even post-traumatic stress disorder.

“Although we have two bereavement suites on our maternity ward for families experiencing a loss after 18 weeks, there had been no equivalent private space for those suffering a loss in earlier stages of pregnancy.”

Thanks to charity funding and donations from a range of suppliers, Leanna has incorporated a number of patient ideas and feedback into the design of the new suites, offering parents a calm, less-clinical, private space.

Leanna added: “These parents need the same level of care as those experiencing loss in later pregnancy, and it’s so important we now have these new spaces where they can begin to grieve and process their loss.”

Serafina Pooja Jay, a patient involved in the design of the suites who experienced early baby loss at St Thomas’, said: “My experience with miscarriage was a lesson in the effects of isolation during pregnancy loss. A place to acknowledge, accept and assimilate the loss will help patients feel less lonely and isolated.”

Toyin Adeyinka, another patient involved in creating the suites who experienced early pregnancy loss at a different London hospital, said: “When I experienced baby loss, I felt like I didn’t have the right to grieve because it was an early loss.

“These new bereavement suites will help parents feel that their loss mattered, and that they are worthy and deserving of care. A baby loss is a baby loss, no matter the stage.”