Effective Communication for Pregnancy Loss Care

Approach pregnancy loss care with compassion

Pregnancy loss can leave people feeling isolated and unheard. This two-week course from University College London explores how language can support individuals through their recovery and healing.

Drawing on UK-based research into lived experiences, you’ll gain practical skills to communicate sensitively and offer meaningful support during this difficult time.

Understand the impact of language in pregnancy loss care

Start by exploring insights from focus groups with patients and healthcare professionals. You’ll discover how language shapes feelings of culpability, validation, and humanity, and why words can either support or harm individuals in care.

This section invites you to reflect on patients’ perspectives and consider how your communication choices influence mental health and recovery, forming the foundation for sensitive, empathetic dialogue.

Recognise acceptable and unacceptable language use in clinical contexts

Building on this understanding, examine the terms commonly used in UK healthcare and why some may cause distress while others support wellbeing. You’ll navigate the challenges clinicians face when language provokes mixed reactions and uncover alternative ways to communicate with care.

By analysing real examples, you’ll learn to make language choices that respect individual sensitivities and foster positive experiences in clinical settings.

Develop practical communication strategies and recommendations

Finally, apply your learning in practical exercises designed to tailor communication sensitively.

You’ll engage in reflective activities and explore evidence-based recommendations, thinking critically about how to implement strategies in your own practice.

This course is for healthcare professionals, including physicians, midwives, nurses, and others involved in pregnancy loss care or support.

This course is for healthcare professionals, including physicians, midwives, nurses, and others involved in pregnancy loss care or support.

• Discuss the impacts language can have on experiences of pregnancy loss and pregnancy loss care.
• Assess a range of issues associated with common terms used to describe the loss of a baby in clinical contexts.
• Apply techniques to communicate sensitively and effectively in accordance with the language needs of individuals and families.
• Identify linguistic choices most likely to cause distress or harm for those with experience of pregnancy loss, and more acceptable alternatives.