DCU People
Benefits | Pregnancy Loss and Fertility Policy Toolkit Resources
Introduction
The external supports and resources listed below may help employees navigate pregnancy loss or fertility treatments. They are also useful for colleagues and line managers as a way to learn more and provide appropriate signposting.
Resources and Supports for Employees Experiencing Pregnancy Loss
- Miscarriage Association of Ireland: supporting those with early pregnancy loss or miscarriage
- Féileacáin (The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Association of Ireland): supporting those who experience late-stage pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and neonatal death.
- Leanbh Mo Chroí (LMS Bereavement Support): a peer-led support group offering a safe space, online forums, and resources specifically tailored to those who have experienced pregnancy loss following a diagnosis of a fatal fetal abnormality.
- If your loss occurred in a maternity hospital, dedicated bereavement midwives and medical social workers offer specialised clinics, follow-up counselling, and immediate support, for example:
- The Rotunda Hospital: Rotunda Hospital Bereavement Services
- The National Maternity Hospital (Holles Street): NMH Bereavement Midwives & Counselling Service
Resources and Supports for Employees Experiencing Fertility Treatment
- National Infertility Support and Information Group (NISIG): Ireland’s primary fertility charity. They provide 24/7 telephone support lines, regional support groups, and information on navigating both Irish clinics and treatment abroad.
- HSE Fertility Services: provides information on accessing HSE free fertility tests and treatments.
- Unspoken - The Fertility Network UK Podcast: a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you.
- DCU’s Employee Assistance Service (EAS): provides in-the-moment psychological support to those dealing with a range of issues.
Resources and Supports for Managers & Colleagues
- This guide from The Miscarriage Association provides useful advice on how to discuss pregnancy loss with an employee.
- Tommy’s has created a similar guide on supporting an employee after stillbirth.
- Support colleagues who suffer pregnancy loss, where appropriate. This guide may help you understand more about the support you can offer.
- The Pregnancy Loss Research Group has created a helpful toolkit Pregnancy Loss & The Workplace: A Toolkit for Employers and Employees
- This CIPD Guide aims to equip colleagues to support those experiencing fertility challenges, investigations or treatment.
- Unspoken - The Fertility Network UK Podcast: a heartfelt podcast by Fertility Network UK, dedicated to sharing the real-life stories of individuals and couples navigating the complex world of fertility. Whether you are facing fertility struggles yourself, know someone who is, or simply want to learn more about this often overlooked aspect of reproductive health, this podcast is for you.