Ending the Three Miscarriage Wait

Every miscarriage is heartbreaking.

For too many families, the pain is made even harder by a system that tells them they must go through that loss again and again, before they can routinely access further support, investigations, or treatment.

Right now, many people are expected to experience three consecutive miscarriages before receiving specialist care. I do not believe that is good enough.

Around 250,000 pregnancies end in miscarriage every year in the UK, yet too often families are left without answers, support, or recognition of the grief they are experiencing. We also do not know exactly how many families in the Newbury constituency are affected, because miscarriages are not formally recorded in the way they should be. That is part of what needs to change.

I have been contacted by constituents supporting Tommy’s campaign to introduce the Graded Model of Miscarriage Care across England, and I welcome the growing evidence behind this approach.

This model would ensure support is offered after every miscarriage, with care increasing depending on individual need and medical history. That could include earlier access to advice, blood tests, reassurance scans, mental health support, and specialist referrals where appropriate. The evidence from the pilot suggests earlier intervention could help prevent thousands of miscarriages each year and identify treatable conditions much sooner.

Researchers estimate the model could potentially prevent more than 10,000 miscarriages annually across the UK, while also reducing pressure on the NHS in the longer term through earlier diagnosis and treatment.

This should not become another postcode lottery where the care families receive depends entirely on where they live.

I support calls for the Government to seriously consider the findings of the Tommy’s pilot and set out clear next steps for rolling out improved miscarriage care across England. I will also be writing to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to seek an update on the Government’s plans in this area.

For families experiencing pregnancy loss, every miscarriage matters. They deserve to be listened to, supported, and treated with dignity from the very beginning.