Quenby Cradles: Providing Choice, Privacy and Dignity During Miscarriage

Experiencing a miscarriage can be an incredibly difficult and deeply personal experience. At MISS, we believe that wherever possible, women and families should be given compassionate choices about their care and supported in a way that protects their dignity and emotional wellbeing. 

As part of our ongoing work with healthcare professionals, MISS recently provided Quenby Cradles to NHS Tayside for a trial at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic at Ninewells Hospital. 

The cradles were positively received and are already helping to support women experiencing miscarriage. Following the success of the trial, other NHS Scotland health boards have also expressed an interest in introducing Quenby Cradles within their services. NHS Grampian is now also trialling Quenby Cradles across a number of their hospitals

What is a Quenby Cradle? 

A Quenby Cradle is designed to support women who are medically able and choose to manage a miscarriage at home. 

The cradle provides a sensitive and dignified way to collect pregnancy remains, removing the need to use methods which can feel distressing or clinical during an already traumatic experience. 

For some women, being able to remain in the privacy and familiarity of their own home can provide a greater sense of comfort and control. The Quenby Cradle offers another option, helping women and families navigate the physical experience of miscarriage while preserving dignity and allowing them to make choices that feel right for them. 

Supporting compassionate care at Ninewells 

Following the recent trial, the response from the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic at Ninewells Hospital has been extremely positive. 

Denise Marshall, Senior Charge Nurse (SCN), said: 

“I would like to thank Abi and the MISS charity for providing such an important service to the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic at Ninewells Hospital. 

“The memory boxes and the items for overnight and comfort bags are wonderful and really support the way we care for women, helping us deliver compassionate, trauma-informed care. We have also received Quenby miscarriage cradles from MISS, which are already making a real difference. These cradles give women experiencing a miscarriage the option to go through this in the privacy and comfort of their own homes, while maintaining the dignity that is so important at such a difficult time. Women often tell us how grateful they are for the boxes, items, and books we are able to provide thanks to Abi’s charity. Abi is always open to feedback and is happy to adjust what’s provided by the charity to make sure it meets women’s needs. We are very grateful for the ongoing support that Abi and the MISS charity provide as it really does make a difference to our service and the women we care for.” 

Listening, learning and improving support 

Working alongside healthcare professionals is an important part of the work we do at MISS. 

By listening to the experiences of both those providing and receiving pregnancy loss care, we can better understand what is needed and adapt the practical resources we provide. 

The positive response to the Quenby Cradles at Ninewells demonstrates how a relatively simple resource can have a meaningful impact on someone's experience of miscarriage. 

For us, this is ultimately about choice. 

No two experiences of pregnancy loss are the same, and what feels right for one person may not feel right for another. Providing appropriate options allows women and families to make decisions about their care at a time when so much can feel beyond their control. 

Growing interest across Scotland 

Following the positive response to the trial at NHS Tayside, we are delighted that other NHS Scotland health boards have now expressed interest in implementing Quenby Cradles within their own services, including trials now happening with NHS Grampian 

This is an incredibly encouraging development, and one we hope will lead to more women across Scotland having access to this option when experiencing miscarriage at home. 

We are incredibly grateful to Denise and the team at the Early Pregnancy Assessment Clinic at Ninewells Hospital for working with us to trial the Quenby Cradles and for sharing their feedback. 

As interest grows, we hope to work alongside more healthcare teams across Scotland to help make compassionate, dignified and person-centred miscarriage care accessible to as many women and families as possible.