We are starting our new research with a questionnaire study.
You can access the survey here
The aim is to better understand the experiences of families suffering the loss of a baby from a multiple pregnancy which includes twins, triplets and higher order multiple pregnancies, and where there is at least one surviving baby. This includes baby loss that occurs due to miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal loss. We will use the knowledge we gain to co-create materials (leaflets, advice sheets etc.) with families to better educate professionals and the public and to help families learn from other families' experiences. In doing so, we also aim to raise public awareness of the life-long nature of baby loss and the unique challenges faced by surviving twins, triplets and higher order multiples.
In this study we use the word 'baby' to include a fetus (the medical term for a baby still in the womb), a baby who is stillborn (a baby born without a heart beat) and a baby who was liveborn but dies in the first few days and weeks (neonatal death). You may find the topic emotional or upsetting. If you feel you want help with your feelings you can find information and support from the following organisations.
Support for you | Sands - Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.
Twins Trust | Bereavement Service
Baby loss information and support | Tommy's (tommys.org)
The questions in this survey have been developed by a stakeholder group that includes parents affected by baby loss, surviving children from a multiple pregnancy, healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses and midwives), psychologists, teachers and researchers. We are grateful to representatives and parents from the following organisations and networks who have also contributed including the Lone Twin Network, Bereavement Training, Child Bereavement UK, Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands UK), Pregnancy and Infant Loss (PAIL Canada), Skye High Foundation, Tiny Lives charity, Footprints Baby Loss Charity, Twins Trust, Elizabeth Bryan Multiple Births Centre, Assisting Parents And Raising Twinless Twins (APARTT).
Answering the questions will take around 15 minutes, but may take longer if you choose to provide more information.