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Pregnancy After Loss: Support Charities UK

Being pregnant after a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or stillbirth brings a particular kind of anxiety that friends and family who haven't experienced loss may struggle to understand. Specialist UK charities exist precisely for this — staffed by people who know the territory, offering free, confidential support alongside your NHS care. Here's where to find them and what each one offers.

UK charities that support pregnancy after loss

  • The Miscarriage Association (miscarriageassociation.org.uk) — a helpline, live chat, and online forum specifically for people who've had a miscarriage, including a dedicated "pregnancy after loss" support pathway and information on the emotions this brings up.
  • Tommy's (tommys.org) — runs a free pregnancy after loss midwife-led information line and website hub covering anxiety, what extra monitoring to ask for, and how to talk to your care team about your history.
  • Sands (sands.org.uk) — the leading charity for stillbirth and neonatal death, offering a helpline, local support groups, and specific guidance for a subsequent pregnancy after losing a baby.
  • Antenatal Results and Choices (ARC) — supports parents through screening and diagnostic testing, particularly relevant if your previous loss followed a diagnosis.
  • The Ectopic Pregnancy Trust — support and information specific to ectopic pregnancy, including what to expect and extra scanning in a future pregnancy.
  • Petals — provides free specialist baby loss counselling, including during a subsequent pregnancy.
  • Saying Goodbye — support and remembrance services for anyone who has lost a baby at any stage.

How to choose which charity to contact

You don't have to pick just one, and there's no wrong door. A sensible starting point:

  • If your loss was a miscarriage, start with the Miscarriage Association or Tommy's.
  • If you lost a baby to stillbirth or shortly after birth, Sands is set up specifically for this.
  • If your loss followed screening or a diagnosis, ARC understands that context best.
  • If you want one-to-one talking therapy rather than a helpline, Petals offers structured counselling.
  • Many people use more than one — a helpline for practical questions, and counselling for the emotional processing.

What support actually looks like

These charities offer more than a listening ear, though that matters too:

  • Helplines and live chat for moments of acute anxiety, often outside typical office hours.
  • Peer support groups, in person or online, connecting you with others who've been pregnant after loss.
  • Information for partners, who are often grieving and anxious too but get far less attention.
  • Guidance on talking to your midwife about extra reassurance, additional scans, or a rainbow baby care plan.

When to also involve your midwife or GP

Charity support works alongside your NHS care, not instead of it. Tell your midwife about your previous loss at booking so it can inform your care — many units offer extra monitoring or a dedicated contact for pregnancy after loss. If anxiety is affecting your sleep, eating, or daily functioning, ask about a referral to your local perinatal mental health team too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which charity helps most with pregnancy after miscarriage?

The Miscarriage Association and Tommy's both specialise in support for pregnancy after miscarriage, including helplines and information on managing anxiety in a subsequent pregnancy. If your previous loss was a stillbirth, Sands is the more specific fit.

Are these charities free to use?

Yes, all of the charities listed here — the Miscarriage Association, Tommy's, Sands, ARC, the Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Petals, and Saying Goodbye — offer their helplines, online information, and (in most cases) support groups free of charge.

Can I use more than one charity at the same time?

Yes, and many people do. There's no restriction on contacting several organisations, and each has a slightly different focus, so combining a helpline with a peer support group or counselling service is common and encouraged.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.

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