New resources to address miscarriage information gap in hospitals

The pregnancy loss research group at University College Cork (UCC) has launched new resources to improve the care of people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage.

The resources were developed as part of the Health Research Board RE:CURRENT study, which ran from 2020 to 2023 and evaluated recurrent miscarriage services in Ireland to help improve the quality of services. They include information booklets on miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage, and multi-lingual videos with support and information on recurrent miscarriage.

Other resources comprise an appointment letter template for recurrent miscarriage clinics, a checklist for emergency department staff when people initially present with signs or symptoms of miscarriage, and case studies of
hospital spaces. 

According to Prof Keelin O’Donoghue, Consultant Obstetrician and Principal Investigator of the RE:CURRENT study, printed copies of the information booklets have been distributed to all 19 maternity hospitals/units with the support of the HSE National Women and Infants Health Programme (NWIHP).

Prof O’Donoghue said the resources are “primarily aimed at people who experience miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage, as well as care providers”.

She added: “We continue to advocate for the structural changes required to improve care by enhancing supports
for miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage nationally.”

Dr Cliona Murphy, Clinical Director of the NWIHP, said the booklets will “enhance service provision and care experiences by addressing the lack of information provided in hospitals regarding miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage”.

She added that the Programme was currently developing booklets for other forms of pregnancy loss.

The resources are available to view and download via the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Ireland website (www.pregnancyandinfantloss.ie) with information booklets and videos also available on the Cork University Maternity Hospital/UCC miscarriage website (www.corkmiscarriage.com).

Miscarriage is one of the most common complications in early pregnancy. Around one out of five women will
have a miscarriage during their reproductive lives.