Fertility midwife Ellie to scale new heights for miscarriage research

Ellie Hurn, who is based at Bourn Hall Clinic in Cambridge, has been training five times a week to prepare for the London Landmarks Skyscraper Challenge. It will involve her running up 42 flights of stairs up the Cheesegrater building in London – and then abseiling 200m back down.

Supporting research into causes of early pregnancy loss

The Skyscraper Challenge is the first event of its kind in the world and is raising funds for Tommys which is the largest UK charity researching the causes and prevention of pregnancy complications, miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.

“My motivation to take part comes from my job,” says Ellie. “I previously worked as an NHS midwife and cared for families who experienced miscarriage and baby loss and I have witnessed first-hand the devastation it causes. It is a topic very close to my heart and I feel that it needs to be spoken about more. I chose to do the challenge to get people talking, raise awareness and most importantly support a charity which provides such an amazing service.”

New Miscarriage Clinic 

Ellie joined Bourn Hall as a Fertility Midwife last Summer from West Suffolk Hospital and is one of the team behind a new miscarriage clinic which is open to anyone who has experienced one or more miscarriages or early pregnancy losses (EPL) after either natural conception or fertility treatment.

“After a miscarriage people often want answers and it is easy to self-refer to the service,” explains Ellie.

Bourn Hall’s Miscarriage Clinic operates out of its Cambridge, Norwich and Wickford clinics. In addition to investigations Bourn Hall offers an early reassurance scan at seven weeks and the dedicated support of a fertility nurse.

Many of Bourn Hall’s fertility nursing team trained as midwives and, like Ellie, previously supported couples following the loss of a pregnancy. They are therefore able to provide invaluable specialist support and guidance.