In our research studies spoke to parents who have suffered the loss of a baby, either before or after birth. Initially, we spoke to lots of parents and it was through these early studies that we developed a focus on multiple (twin) pregnancies. We also spoke to health care professionals such as midwives, neonatal nurses and doctors. We wanted to find out whether there was anything we could do to make things better for parents.

Almost all parents said they found it difficult that staff (but also friends) did not appear to know what had happened, or forgot that their baby was from a twin or triplet pregnancy. Most parents found that upsetting, and especially when they were on SCBU surrounded by lots of people. However, these issues also arose for parents whose babies did not have problems, and went home soon after they were born. Parents told us they would have liked us to continue remembering the twin (or triplet) nature of the pregnancy.

We developed information leaflets, education packages and Butterfly cot cards, and have developed short films with parents. You can learn about the butterfly project on our separate website here