Intermountain Health has opened a specialized Pregnancy After Loss Clinic at Intermountain Medical Center in Murray to support families navigating future pregnancies after miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death. According to a November 3 statement, the facility is one of only nine clinics in the nation to receive certification from the United States Pregnancy After Loss Support (USPAL) program.
The clinic utilizes trauma-informed practices to address the unique emotional and medical needs of women and their families. Jessica Page, MD, an OB-GYN physician at the clinic, stated that the facility aims to help families feel supported through their pregnancy journey by providing coordinated care and enhanced communication in one clinical setting. The clinic also intends to offer consultation services to support providers and families across a broader geographic region and plans to extend resources to additional Intermountain Health clinics.
The care model emphasizes the mental health aspects of pregnancy and infant loss. Liz Hernandez, the clinic's senior practice manager, noted that the clinic works to ensure patients feel support from every caregiver they encounter. As part of the USPAL certification process, clinics must involve a parent who has personally experienced pregnancy or infant loss; Hernandez, who experienced the loss of a twin to Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SUID), contributes this perspective to patient care and caregiver training.
Pregnancy loss is a common occurrence, with approximately one in four women experiencing pregnancy loss during their lifetime. In the United States, more than 20,000 pregnancies end in stillbirth each year. The Intermountain clinic will also participate in research efforts to advance the understanding of why losses occur and how to improve maternity care.
The clinic uses evidence-based practices and the latest research to guide care and help families remain informed. For more information, individuals can visit the Intermountain Health maternity services website at https://connect.intermountainhealth.org/pregnancy-after-loss.
