SOGC Calls for National Stillbirth Strategy and Improved Pregnancy Loss Care

The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC) is calling for a National Stillbirth Strategy and improvements in pregnancy loss care across Canada. Marking Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day on October 15, the SOGC highlighted ongoing gaps in compassionate and consistent care for families experiencing early pregnancy loss or stillbirth.

A new Clinical Practice Guideline released earlier this year outlines steps to strengthen care, including improved mental health screening, expanded Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinics, free access to medical management options, and the use of compassionate language. The SOGC is meeting with provincial and territorial health ministers to advocate for these recommendations and plans to host webinars in 2026 to encourage grassroots advocacy. The organization also continues to urge the development of a coordinated national approach to stillbirth prevention, data collection, and family support.

These national efforts speak to the lived experiences of many families and care providers. The personal impact of pregnancy and infant loss is profound. Krista Beneš, Manager of Prenatal Screening Ontario, reflects on this reality in The Living Legacy of a Stillborn Child, a personal story shared through the Mental Health Commission of Canada. We are deeply grateful to Krista for sharing her story and helping others feel seen, supported, and less alone in their experiences of pregnancy loss.