The experiences of parents who suffer pregnancy loss and whose babies die during the pandemic
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5 August 2020 — adopted June 2020 • completed 2021
The experiences of parents who suffer pregnancy loss and whose babies die during the pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way in which people live and provided a very uncertain time for new parents. With changes to maternity care, we expected there to be a significant psychological impact on women and their partners — especially in circumstances where they suffer a late-term miscarriage, a stillbirth, or when their baby dies shortly after birth.
This study aimed to better understand the experiences of bereaved parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is a global initiative led by researchers at King’s College London in collaboration with international partners.
The results will inform strategies to improve care for bereaved parents during this or any future similar outbreak, and in a post-pandemic context.
The death of a baby before or soon after birth is a highly distressing outcome of pregnancy for parents, families, and healthcare providers. The quality of bereavement care can have lasting consequences for parents’ wellbeing.
Background to the study
Preliminary research during the pandemic found that pregnant women were concerned about their pregnancy and birth plans given urban and quarantine constraints, were avoiding visiting healthcare providers due to fear of coronavirus exposure, and were worried about postpartum care. However, perinatal bereavement had not been widely explored in the context of the pandemic.
Given the rapid progressive spread of COVID-19, it was important to address the potential outcomes for both mothers and partners who experience pregnancy loss and/or perinatal death during a period of significant healthcare change.
Project aims
This project aimed to understand:
The experiences of perinatal bereavement (late-term miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death) during the time of the global COVID-19 pandemic, and whether there are differences between women and their partners
Whether bereavement is affected by the timing of perinatal loss (i.e. whether loss was late-term miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death)
The interaction between bereaved parents and healthcare services, including what support networks parents drew upon during the Government-instituted ‘lockdowns’
How the research was carried out
This is a cross-sectional qualitative study of women and partners who experienced a late-term miscarriage, stillbirth, or neonatal death during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak (from 30 January 2020 onwards).
Bereaved parents had the opportunity to be interviewed about their experiences. The study sought to find similarities and differences between parents who suffer a late-term miscarriage, a stillbirth, and a neonatal death.
Late-term miscarriage
Stillbirth
Neonatal death
More information
The study was led by the Department of Women & Children’s Health at King’s College London and has many international collaborating partners. It was adopted by ARC South London in June 2020 and was completed by 2021.
To take part, complete the COCOON Survey by clicking the link below and leaving your contact details — the team will be in touch to interview you.
Meet the team
 Professor Jane Sandall CBE Theme lead; professor of social science and women’s health, King’s College London; midwife and NIHR Senior Investigator |
 Sergio A. Silverio Research associate in social science of women’s health, King’s College London |
If you have been affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby, support is available from:
- Sands — the stillbirth and neonatal death charity
- The Miscarriage Association
- Tommy’s — research and support for pregnancy complications
Related content
- →
Pregnancy and birth during the coronavirus pandemic - →
Post-pandemic planning for maternity care across the four nations (RESILIENT study) - →
Maternity and perinatal mental health research at ARC South London
Original source: arc-sl.nihr.ac.uk — NIHR ARC South London legacy content archived May 2026.