Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment she has made of the potential implications for clinical guidelines of findings published by researchers in the 2021 Miscarriage Matters series in The Lancet indicating that a history of miscarriage is associated with an increased risk of preterm birth and stillbirth in subsequent pregnancies; and what measures are in place to ensure enhanced monitoring for expectant mothers with a history of pregnancy loss.

The Maternity and Neonatal Taskforce is currently considering a wide range of evidence and proposals to inform its development of the Maternity and Neonatal Action Plan, and in her response to the debate on Baby Loss Awareness Week on 12 October, my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, who is chairing the taskforce, made clear that miscarriage would be a key area of focus for its work. Department officials will ensure that the study referred to by the Hon Member is taken into account as part of that process.