Second Trimester Loss

Second trimester baby loss is devastating. Right now, there is a real gap in awareness and in care for the families affected. Tommy’s is here to change that.

Our campaign to stop the devastation of second trimester loss

Second trimester loss is a hidden problem, which means families struggle to access any care or support. In fact, right now, there are no standardised care guidelines adopted across hospitals in the UK to support anyone who has lost a baby between 13 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

At Tommy’s we’re committed to raising awareness of this devastating problem so we can change the system and improve care and outcomes – for everyone. 

Our researchers have developed new second trimester loss care guidelines to stop this. With your support, we will push for these to be rolled out across all hospitals in the UK. 

But we won’t stop once care is improved. The pioneering research we deliver is making sure more families can bring babies home. We must continue to find the new tests and treatments which save babies lives.

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The level of care you receive during pregnancy really feels like a postcode lottery, as we know that better care in my first pregnancy may well have saved Joni’s life.

— Emily lost her daughter Joni at 21 weeks

“I was numb, knowing I would have to deliver another baby I wouldn’t be taking home”

 

Jane suffered 2 missed miscarriages and the late losses of twins and then her son. With the support of Tommy’s, she had a little boy Lewis this year. 

“The word ‘miscarriage’ just didn’t feel right for such late-stage losses. I found it difficult this year when people congratulated me on my ‘first’ Mother’s Day. I’ve been a mother for years, I just haven’t had my babies with me.”

Read Jane’s story
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We were parents but our arms were empty and our home was silent. We just wanted to understand why this happened. What caused it. Why us. Not having answers was really tough.

— Nikita lost her son Arjan at 18+4 weeks after going into premature labour

Get involved with our campaign

  • Demand an official record of loss

    Right now, the true scale of second trimester baby loss is unknown because crucially, miscarriages and losses that occur up to 24 weeks of pregnancy are not counted by the NHS. This is key to getting parents the research and support families desperately need and to drive change. Join over 30,000 others who've added their name to our petition to call for this.
    Read more about ' Demand an official record of loss '

  • Raise awareness to help us end the care gap

    We’re working with government, policymakers and clinicians to roll out our new second trimester loss care guidelines nationwide so all families can access the right care and support. Read Emily’s story of how the level of care you receive currently “feels like a postcode lottery” and why this needs to change.
    Read more about ' Raise awareness to help us end the care gap '

  • Fund our research

    Our ground-breaking research centres are dedicated to finding causes and treatments for miscarriage and preterm birth, so we can give women and birthing people, and their partners the answers, care and support that they need.
    Read more about ' Fund our research '

Our language around loss

The medical term for a baby lost between 13 and 24 weeks of pregnancy is ‘late miscarriage’ - but many in our community have told us that this term does not do their story justice. This is why we are using the ‘second trimester loss’. 

This can be confusing as the second trimester actually ends at 28 weeks. But if your baby dies during pregnancy or birth after 24 weeks of pregnancy, this is called a stillbirth. Right now, there are no standardised care guidelines adopted across hospitals in the UK to support anyone who has lost a baby between 13 and 24 weeks of pregnancy. Our campaign is here to end this gap in care. 

Information and support

  • Baby loss information and support

    Half of adults in the UK have experienced baby loss, or know someone who has. We have information and support for anyone who has experienced the loss of a baby, whether through miscarriage, stillbirth, neonatal death, or termination for medical reasons.
    Read more about ' Baby loss information and support '

  • Pregnancy information

    Our midwife-led information covers everything you need to know about having a safe and healthy pregnancy, from conception to birth and beyond. Browse our free tools, calculators and other useful pregnancy resources.
    Read more about ' Pregnancy information '