For this stage of my project, I began exploring the experiences, cjhallenges and emotions that are faced by couples who have gone through pregnancy loss and are navigating being pregnant again. Understanding this topic from an empathetic and real perspective is improtant in order to design a product that is meaningful and helpful. I will be documenting my user research in this page, to allow me to have a better underdtanign of the struggles couples face and what support is currently missing. The aim of this research is to create a solution that reflects real user experiences.
To begin my user research, I created a short and and anonymous survey asking those who are members of my local SANDS support group, which is a the UK's leading pregnancy and baby loss charity, which provides support for bereaved families, advocates for better maternity care, and funds research to reduce baby deaths.
Sands | Saving babies' lives. Supporting bereaved families.
The aim of this survey is to gather honest insights from people who have lived through pregnancy loss. Their responses will give me a better understanding of what they have gone through, identifying common emotions, challenges and gaps in support after loss. I ensured that I made it clear that this was completely anonymous and avoided asking questions that are too personal, I also made it clear they can click off at any time if they need to. I ensured that this was sent to mothers and father who have experienced this. Below are the results that I received after receiving 10 responses.
My first question was Have you used any apps related to pregnancy, fertility, menstrual cycle, or emotional wellbeing? 60% of respondents said yes, while 40% said no. This shows that many users are already familiar with using digital tools in this area, but a significant number said they haven't used apps related this. This supports the idea that there is defitnley room for a more tailored app, especially one designed for couples who have experienced pregnancy loss and may not feel represented in mainstream pregnancy or wellbeing apps.
The next question asked was if they seek nay form of support after their pregnancy loss, with 80% of respondents saying yes, and 20% said no. Showing that most people actively search for supper following a loss, but this support might not be suited for them or it may be limited, which is usually targeted to the mother rather than both partners. The 20% who did not seek any support may reflect barriers such as lack od accessible services, too ashamed or not knowing where to look. These findings highlight the importance of creating a more inclusive and meaningful support system for couples.
The following question asked was, After the loss, how supported did you feel by your partner? The responses were quite mixed, 40% said very supported, 40% somewhat supported and 20% felt not supported. This result shows that every couple experiences different forms of grief, and how it can lead to challenged communication and a lack of emotional connection between the couple. These results reinforce the need for a tool that supports both partners — helping them navigate emotions together, strengthen communication, and feel more united during a difficult time.
After your loss, did you and your partner find time to appreciate each other daily or spend quality time together (e.g., dates, shared activities, or quiet moments)? The responses showed that this can be difficult for some couples, 60% said occasionally, 20% said not really, 10% said yes often and 10% never. These results suggest that while some couples remain close and are supportive towards each other, many couples straggly to maintain closeness during grief. Further supporting the idea of creating an app that encourages meaningful connection and supports couples during grief, it also suggests that there could be a feature within this app that targets this problem, e.g. encouraging connection during this time.
Participants were asked Have you found it difficult or easy to reconnect with your partner emotionally or physically since your loss? The responses varied with 30% said it was somewhat difficult at first but has been improving, 30% said they were unsure, 20% found it easy and felt they naturally supported each other, and 20% said it has been very difficult and they are still working on it. This mix of experiences highlights how complex the process of reconnecting is. Grief often affects each partner differently, which can create distance or uncertainty. Some may grieve by wanting to talk about their emotions, some may not want to talk about it, some may use other things to distract them etc. This can lead to partners arguing or tensions rising as they can't communicate with each other openly. These findings reinforce the importance of designing an app that supports both partners’ emotional needs and encourages connection in a supportive way.
When participants were asked what helped them and their partner cope after their loss, the most common response was taking space when needed. This suggests that many couples benefit from having room to process their emotions individually before coming together again. Other helpful approaches included doing activities together, talking about their feelings, or seeking professional or group support — but these were chosen far less often. This insight highlights that support after pregnancy loss isn’t always about constant communication; sometimes couples need gentle structure, boundaries, and emotional breathing room as they navigate grief in their own ways. it also shows that everyone will grief differently, which the app will support.
