Glasgow Dads Feel Forgotten After Baby Loss 2026

Key Points

• Two Glasgow fathers, Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers, have publicly shared their experiences of feeling forgotten after their babies died before childbirth
• Andy MacLean’s daughter Ellie had congenital diaphragmatic hernia (organs in wrong places) and spina bifida, leading to termination for medical reasons
• Both dads reported a significant lack of support in the moments after learning their babies wouldn’t survive
• Andy MacLean felt there was an expectation for men to be “tough” and “strong” rather than receiving emotional support
• “Losing a baby really affects your mental health and some days you do feel alone,” one father stated
• The story highlights gaps in bereavement support specifically for fathers after pregnancy loss
• Medical termination for fetal anomaly remains a profoundly difficult decision with limited psychological support resources for men
• Research shows fathers often experience “social invisibility” and insufficient psychological support after termination for medical reasons
• Men reported stable elevated grief scores at 13 months post-loss, unlike women whose scores declined
• Specialist support organisations exist but many fathers remain unaware or struggle to access dad-specific resources

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) June 4, 2026 – Two heartbroken Glasgow fathers have bravely opened up about feeling forgotten and unsupported after experiencing the devastating loss of their babies before childbirth, exposing critical gaps in bereavement care for men facing pregnancy loss.

Who Are Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers and What Did They Experience?

Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers, both from Glasgow, have shared their painful stories of losing their babies before birth and the profound sense of isolation they felt in the aftermath.

As reported by the original Glasgow Live article, both men described feeling forgotten in the moments after discovering their babies would not survive to childbirth.

Andy MacLean’s daughter Ellie was diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, a rare condition where the diaphragm fails to close during prenatal development, leaving organs positioned incorrectly between the chest and abdomen.

Additionally, Ellie had spina bifida, another complex congenital anomaly. Faced with these devastating diagnoses, Andy and his wife made the difficult decision to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons (TFMR).

Why Do Dads Feel Forgotten After Baby Loss According to These Glasgow Fathers?

“Losing a baby really affects your mental health and some days you do feel alone,” one of the fathers stated, highlighting the psychological toll of pregnancy loss that often goes unacknowledged for men.

As reported in the original Glasgow Live coverage, Andy MacLean specifically felt there was an expectation for him to be “tough” and “strong” rather than receiving the emotional support he needed. This expectation reflects a broader societal pattern where men’s grief after baby loss is minimised or overlooked.

Research published in PubMed confirms that fathers experience what researchers call “social invisibility” following termination for medical reasons due to fetal congenital defects.

The study found that despite the clinical and ethical implications of TFMR, “there is limited qualitative research” on fathers’ experiences, with most support focusing on mothers.

What Medical Conditions Led to These Termination Decisions?

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) occurs when

“a fetus’s diaphragm isn’t fully formed or strong enough to be a muscle barrier between its belly (abdomen) and chest,”

according to Cleveland Clinic medical information. This means the baby’s abdominal organs can move into the chest cavity, potentially preventing proper lung development.

The condition is rare and complex, often requiring difficult decisions by parents and medical teams. When combined with other anomalies like spina bifida, the prognosis often becomes even more grave, leading many families to consider termination for medical reasons.

How Does Termination for Medical Reasons Affect Parents Psychologically?

As reported by researchers studying the experiences of mothers who legally terminate pregnancies due to fetal congenital defects, the process is “a complex and emotionally intense [experience] that significantly impacts the mother’s personal life and causes considerable psychological distress for both parents”.

The PubMed study identified three main themes emerging from parents’ experiences:

1. The painful diagnosis of a congenital fetal defect and the moral dilemma of terminating a wanted pregnancy
2. The internal conflict and distressing experience of undergoing legal pregnancy termination
3. The dual emotional wound resulting from pregnancy loss

Participants described the diagnosis as “an emotional shock” and reported feeling unsupported both during and after the process, highlighting critical gaps in psychosocial care.

What Does Research Show About Fathers’ Grief After Termination for Medical Reasons?

Scientific research provides important context for understanding the Glasgow dads’ experiences. A Danish study examining grief reactions among 677 TOPFA (termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly) bereaved parents found that

“women reported higher scores than men; however, among parents in the upper quartile of grief scores, women’s scores declined between 7 and 13 months, whereas men’s remained stable”.

This finding is particularly significant: it suggests that while women’s grief may decrease over time, fathers’ grief can remain persistently elevated.

The study also found that at 13 months post-loss, “emotional pain, longing, and guilt/self-blame” were present in a considerable proportion of parents.

Another study found that among women terminating pregnancy because of fetal anomalies, depression was determined to be 65%, and

“grief symptoms may become persistent after six months”

with symptoms including “anger, and preoccupation with the loss”.

What Support Resources Exist for Bereaved Fathers in Scotland?

Despite the clear need, support for fathers remains limited. According to mygov.scot, Scotland offers several specialist organisations for bereaved parents, including Sands, which provides a national helpline on 0808 164 3332 and email support at helpline@sands.org.uk.

Sands specifically offers “a Facebook Support Group for men” which is

“a community of bereaved men, including dads, grandparents, brothers, and uncles all helping each other through pregnancy and baby loss”.

The charity also runs “Sands United FC,” described as

“a unique way for dads and other bereaved family members to come together through a shared love of sport”.

Other Scottish support organisations include:

• Held in our Hearts: Provides counselling and befriending support, phone 0131 622 6263
• The Scottish Cot Death Trust: Phone 0141 357 3946
• Cruse Scotland: Phone 0808 802 6161
• The Miscarriage Association: Phone 01924 200799
• ARC UK: Offers support via national helpline, online forum, and befriending service

Dads-specific resources include Arching Arms, a baby loss charity run by bereaved parents offering “virtual support groups via zoom for Dads only”, and Louis FC (4Louis), which

“offers football training and support to dads, granddads, uncles, and brothers who have lost a child”

with weekly meetings for “changing room chatter”.

Why Do Men Still Struggle to Find Spaces for Their Voices After Child Loss?

As noted in a Tommy’s charity post marking Baby Loss Awareness Week, “Men don’t talk, but it’s okay to talk about baby loss and that’s what we’re trying to do,” highlighting ongoing stigma around men discussing their grief.

The Facebook post from Tommy’s emphasized that

“Dads still struggle to find spaces for their own voices after childloss. Men and women grieve differently so groups like this are very valuable”.

According to SANDS Glasgow’s messaging, “no dad should have to face baby loss alone,” yet the reality for many fathers like Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers remains isolation and feeling forgotten.

What Are the Legal and Ethical Considerations Around Termination for Medical Reasons?

The legal termination of pregnancy due to congenital defects involves complex ethical considerations. As researchers note, this represents “a wanted pregnancy” ending due to fetal anomalies, creating

“the moral dilemma of terminating”.

In Scotland and the wider UK, termination for medical reasons remains legal under specific circumstances, particularly when fetal anomalies are severe and incompatible with life or would cause significant suffering. The decision ultimately rests with the parents in consultation with medical professionals.

Background: Understanding Termination for Medical Reasons and Baby Loss Support Gaps

Termination for medical reasons (TFMR), also known as termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA), occurs when parents choose to end a pregnancy after receiving a diagnosis of a severe fetal condition. This decision typically follows devastating prenatal diagnoses such as congenital diaphragmatic hernia, spina bifida, or other life-limiting conditions.

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia affects approximately 1 in 3,000 births and occurs when the diaphragm fails to close properly during fetal development, allowing abdominal organs to move into the chest cavity and potentially preventing normal lung development. Spina bifida is a neural tube defect where the spine and spinal cord don’t form properly.

The psychological impact on parents is profound and well-documented. Research shows that

“the diagnosis of fetal anomaly and especially the termination of pregnancy itself may be traumatic and disruptive”.

Parents experience what researchers call “perinatal grief” combined with “social invisibility,” particularly affecting fathers who receive minimal support compared to mothers.

In Scotland, NHS services provide bereavement support following baby loss, but fathers often report feeling excluded from antenatal classes and bereavement care.

Research from Kirklees noted that “in Glasgow, dads or partners were invited to some antenatal classes but excluded from others, and there were no dedicated resources” specifically for fathers.

The Scottish Government provides guidance on support available when “a child or baby dies,” listing multiple specialist organisations including Sands, Child Bereavement UK, Bliss, and the Miscarriage Association. However, awareness of these resources remains low among bereaved fathers.

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Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Glasgow Fathers and Families Facing Baby Loss

This story’s public exposure of Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers’ experiences is likely to have several significant effects on Glasgow fathers facing or who have experienced baby loss:

Increased Awareness and Validation
Fathers currently experiencing baby loss may feel validated seeing their experiences publicly acknowledged. Research confirms that men face “social invisibility” after pregnancy loss, and this story directly challenges that invisibility.

Fathers who previously felt alone may now recognise their experiences are shared by others, potentially reducing isolation.

Increased Help-Seeking Behaviour
The story explicitly mentions support organisations like Sands and their men’s Facebook group. Fathers who read this article may be more likely to contact the Sands helpline (0808 164 3332) or join gender-specific support groups.

This could be particularly important given that men’s grief scores remain elevated at 13 months post-loss, unlike women’s declining scores.

Potential Pressure on NHS Scotland and Support Services
Public exposure of support gaps may prompt NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to review and expand father-specific bereavement services. Currently, research indicates “no dedicated resources” exist specifically for Glasgow fathers in some antenatal contexts.

This story could catalyse resource allocation for dad-specific support groups, counselling services, and inclusion in bereavement care protocols.

Possibility of Father-Specific Support Group Growth
Organisations like Arching Arms (which offers “virtual support groups via zoom for Dads only”) and Louis FC (which provides football-based support for bereaved dads) may see increased membership from Glasgow fathers. The story’s emphasis on male isolation could drive men toward these existing resources.

How Might This Affect Mental Health Outcomes for Bereaved Fathers?

Given that “losing a baby really affects your mental health” and “some days you do feel alone” according to the Glasgow fathers, this story could influence mental health outcomes in several ways:

Short-term (0-6 months):
Fathers currently grieving may experience initial relief from validation but also potential resurfacing of grief. Research shows depression affects 65% of parents terminating for fetal anomalies, with grief symptoms persisting after six months. Increased awareness may help fathers recognise symptoms and seek help earlier.

Medium-term (6-18 months):
As men’s grief scores remain stable while women’s decline, this story’s timing is critical. Fathers who connect with support groups within this window may experience improved outcomes.

The emphasis on men’s need for “spaces for their own voices” could drive participation in men-only groups.

Long-term (18+ months):
Without intervention, fathers risk persistent elevated grief. However, if this story catalyses permanent improvements in support services, long-term outcomes could improve significantly. The establishment of father-specific resources could reduce the

“emotional pain, longing, and guilt/self-blame”

documented at 13 months post-loss.

What Changes Might Occur in Healthcare Provision for Bereaved Fathers?

NHS Scotland Protocol Revisions
This story may prompt NHS Scotland to revise bereavement protocols to explicitly include fathers in:

• Immediate post-loss counselling
• Memory-making opportunities (handprints, photographs)
• Follow-up appointments
• Information about support resources

Training for Healthcare Professionals
Medical staff, midwives, and counsellors may receive enhanced training on supporting fathers specifically, addressing the expectation for men to be “tough” and “strong” that Andy MacLean reported.

Integration of Existing Resources
Healthcare providers may proactively provide information about:

• Sands men’s Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/sandssupportfordads)
• Arching Arms dad-only Zoom groups
• Louis FC football support
• Andy’s Man Club talking groups across the UK

How Will This Affect Families Making Difficult Medical Decisions?

Reduced Decision-Making Isolation
Families currently facing fetal anomaly diagnoses may feel less isolated knowing their experiences are recognised publicly.

The moral dilemma of terminating “a wanted pregnancy” may feel less burdensome when society acknowledges the emotional complexity.

Better Informed Decision-Making
Parents may receive more comprehensive information about post-loss support before making decisions, potentially reducing the “feeling unsupported both during and after the process” that study participants reported.

Reduced Stigma Around TFMR
Public discussion of termination for medical reasons may reduce stigma, helping families feel less judged for their decisions. This could improve mental health outcomes by reducing shame and isolation.

What Are the Potential Negative Impacts?

Triggering for Recently Bereaved Fathers
The story could trigger intense grief in fathers recently experiencing baby loss, particularly those not yet connected to support services.

Raised Expectations Without Immediate Service Expansion
If the story creates expectations for improved services that aren’t immediately delivered, fathers may experience additional disappointment and disillusionment.

Oversimplification of Complex Grief
There’s risk that public discourse may oversimplify the complex, individual nature of grief, potentially creating pressure on fathers to “move on” or follow specific recovery timelines.

Conclusion on Predicted Impact

This story represents a crucial moment for Glasgow fathers and bereaved dads across Scotland. By publicly exposing the reality that “no dad should have to face baby loss alone”, Andy MacLean and Kris Rodgers have potentially catalysed improvements in support systems that could benefit thousands of fathers.

The most significant impact will likely be validating fathers’ experiences and driving help-seeking behaviour toward existing resources like Sands (0808 164 3332), while simultaneously creating pressure for systemic improvements in father-inclusive bereavement care.

For Glasgow families currently facing or recovering from baby loss, this story offers both recognition of their pain and a roadmap toward support.

The ultimate test will be whether healthcare systems and support organisations can translate this public awareness into tangible improvements in service provision that address the documented gap where “men’s grief scores remained stable” while women’s declined.