'Put foetus in jar in fridge' UK women told after miscarriage

Women who suffer miscarriages are being advised to put the foetus in a jar in the fridge, the Commons has been told in the UK.

Conservative Fiona Bruce added some then have to buy new fridges because the experience is so traumatic.

MPs heard only 18% of miscarriages occur in hospital, with women ringing the medical institutions to ask for advice on what to do next.

Ms Bruce warned it is a "grave concern" there appear to be no strict guidelines in place.

Speaking during a debate on baby loss, the MP for Congleton, said: "I'm extremely concerned to hear that Zoe Clark-Coates from the Mariposa Trust, an organisation set up to assist those who have experienced baby loss, has told my office recently that she still regularly receives calls from women who have been given the advice to flush the foetus down the toilet or put the miscarried foetus in a jar in the fridge.

"This is extremely distressing and traumatising for families.

"Some women have had to buy new fridges after such events just because it has upset them so much.

"Hospital mortuaries need to be available for the foetuses for the unborn child to be properly taken to and stored at the request of parents, and the staff taking such calls need to have training across the board to be aware of this.

"Mortuaries need to be open seven days a week for this purpose, and it's important a directive driven by government is given to this effect and it's not left to trusts to set up their own systems as this is clearly completely unsatisfactory to date."