When Nottinghamshire engineer and mother Laura Corcoran experienced the devastating loss of several pregnancies, she was determined that no woman should ever endure the same lack of dignity and support she faced. From that personal tragedy came an idea that would go on to make a lasting difference for thousands of women — and Amies Technical Plastics was honoured to play a key role in bringing that idea to life.

From Grief to Innovation

Following multiple miscarriages, Laura realised there was no practical or compassionate solution to help women manage pregnancy loss at home. The absence of proper medical guidance or equipment often forced women to use household items during the most traumatic of experiences — something Laura described as “indescribably painful and undignified.”

Motivated to change that, she began designing what would become the Miscarriage Collection Cradle — a simple yet sensitive device that securely hooks onto a toilet seat, allowing the remains of a pregnancy to be collected respectfully and safely. This not only provides dignity for the woman but also allows for potential medical investigation into the cause of the miscarriage.

Turning Compassion into Design

Once Laura had developed her initial concept, she turned to Amies Technical Plastics, a long-established Chesterfield-based manufacturer specialising in precision medical and technical moulding, to help turn her idea into a high-quality, production-ready reality.

Working closely with Laura, Amies’ engineering team — led by Terry Millward and Stuart Taylor — applied their technical expertise in product development, materials selection, and tooling design to refine and manufacture the device. Every detail was considered with care — from ergonomics and usability to hygiene and manufacturability — ensuring the final product was both functional and sensitive to the emotional context of its use.

“Our team immediately understood the importance of what Laura was trying to achieve,” said Terry Millward of Amies Technical Plastics. “This wasn’t just another medical product — it was something deeply human. We’re proud that our engineering expertise could help make it possible.”

Making a Difference Across the NHS

The Miscarriage Collection Cradle is now available across 13 NHS Trusts — a testament to both Laura’s determination and the collaborative effort that turned her idea into a reality. Her local MP, Jo White (Bassetlaw, Notts), has also voiced strong support for a national rollout, highlighting the need for dignity and compassion in early pregnancy care.

With an estimated 500 miscarriages occurring every day in the UK, Laura’s innovation — supported by Amies Technical Plastics’ engineering precision and commitment to quality — represents an important step forward in supporting women during one of the hardest moments in their lives.

A Partnership Built on Purpose

For Amies Technical Plastics, this project reflects our core values: engineering excellence, collaboration, and compassion through innovation.

We are proud to have supported Laura in transforming her deeply personal experience into a product that now helps others — combining the precision of technical plastics manufacturing with the power of human empathy.

About Amies Technical Plastics

With nearly a century of experience in technical moulding, Amies Technical Plastics specialises in medical-grade injection moulding, cleanroom manufacturing, and product development. Our team partners with innovators, engineers, and healthcare professionals to bring new ideas to life — with precision, integrity, and care.

Elements of this article first appeared in The Mirror Newspaper on 11/10/2025