PhD Student

Course Start: October 2024
Supervisor: Dr Faye Powell
Second Supervisor: Dr Erica Cook

Thesis Title

To explore access, experience and outcomes of a specialist baby loss counselling model.

Area of Research

It is estimated that one in four pregnancies end in a loss during pregnancy or birth, affecting millions of parents and their wider family every year. It is acknowledged that the loss of a pregnancy or baby, is one of the most distressing and traumatic life experiences for parents. Pregnancy loss can have a significant psychological impact on bereaved parents, causing symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complicated grief. There is a need for bereaved parents to have timely access to specialist psychological support following a pregnancy loss. However, there is a lack of evidence surrounding appropriate care pathways, access to care provision is variable across the country and pregnancy loss continues to be an area that is under-researched.

This project seeks to explore access, experience and the psychosocial outcomes of a model of baby loss counselling, delivered by Petals: The Baby Loss Counselling Charity, who offer specialist pregnancy loss counselling to bereaved parents. It will look to explore how access, experiences and outcomes vary across the UK, particularly within under-served communities. Further, this research will investigate the psychosocial impact of baby loss on bereaved parents, and the availability of baby loss counselling and support, with an interest in equity of access across the UK. It is hoped that this project will provide the necessary evidence to enable professionals, stakeholders and policy makers to better understand the needs of bereaved parents, to consider and address current care provisions in the UK and to ensure equitable access to this much-needed support.

Qualifications

• BA (Hons) History, University of Kent
• MSc Applied Psychology, University of Bedfordshire
• Graduate Membership with the British Psychological Society

Previous Experience

• I have clinical experience working within a variety of NHS settings as part of the Psychology team. This includes within a Community Crisis Team, an Eating Disorder Hospital, Specialist Memory Service and a Category A Men’s Prison.
• Prior to commencing this PhD, I have also gained research experience, working on the large NIHR-funded E-PLAYS project, currently running at the University of Bedfordshire (2022-2024).

Contact Information

E: kimberley.blay@study.beds.ac.uk