Grief trial to assess mothers after pregnancy loss

A new study led by researchers with The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston) will survey women who have experienced pregnancy loss to assess their grief in hopes of understanding how they can receive resources to better navigate life after such loss.

“About 1 in 4 women will lose a child to miscarriage, stillbirth, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), in their lifetime,” said Cara Buskmiller, MD, a maternal-fetal medicine fellow in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Services with McGovern Medical School at UTHealth Houston. “Additionally, 1 in 10 pregnancies will end in miscarriage. It could be that there are more women who experience a miscarriage, but it is not something women talk about very often.”

The study, in partnership with The Fetal Center at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital, is looking for women who have experienced a loss within the last five years to participate in the survey. From the survey, researchers will help connect women with resources to manage their grief.

“Navigating life after loss is a very difficult path, and when you feel like you have no allies, it makes things almost impossible,” said Buskmiller. “Pregnancy or infant loss is a topic we don’t talk about enough, even though it’s so common. It’s something intimate and hidden, and when you have a loss, it becomes difficult for anyone to have a conversation about it. We need to normalize it so we can share and support our grief after loss.”

To participate in the study, follow this link.