What is the RE:CURRENT study?

The RE:CURRENT Project is evaluating recurrent miscarriage (RM) services in Ireland to inform efforts to standardise and improve the quality of these services.

The provision of individualised care, respect for women’s opinions and appropriate clinical information is imperative to those who experience recurrent miscarriage (defined in this study as two or more consecutive first trimester pregnancy losses). At present, however, there is no national standard for the provision of services and supports to those who experience recurrent miscarriage. Findings from this research will inform efforts to standardise and optimise the quality of recurrent miscarriage services.

Who is involved?

The Project Management Group comprising Prof. Keelin O’Donoghue (PI) and three postdoctoral researchers - Dr Rebecca Dennehy, Dr Caragh Flannery and Marita Hennessy  and one research assistant Hannah O’Leary, is responsible for the conduct of the evaluation.

This group is supported by a Steering Group and a Research Advisory Group, which include key stakeholders: healthcare and allied health professionals, representatives from advocacy and support organisations, those involved in the administration, governance and management of maternity services, academics, and women and men who have experienced recurrent miscarriage.

Steering Group:

Research Advisory Group:

• Ms Úna Cahill, A/Assistant Director of Midwifery, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Ms Ríona Cotter, Programme Manager for the Implementation of the National Standards for Bereavement Care Following Pregnancy Loss and Perinatal Death, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Ms Mairie Cregan, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Féileacáin
• Ms Carrie Dillon, Bereavement Clinical Midwife Specialist, University Hospital Kerry
• Dr Linda Drummond, Project Lead, National Care Experience Programme, Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA)
• Ms Angela Dunne, Director of Midwifery, National Women & Infants Health Programme
• Dr Minna Geisler, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Dr Trish Horgan, General Practitioner, Broad Lane Family Practice, Cork
• Dr Azy Khalid, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, University Hospital Waterford
• Mr Con Lucey, Parent Advocate
• Ms Mary McAuliffe, Head of Clinical Services, Waterstone Clinic
• Dr Moya McMenamin, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Dr Yvonne O’Brien, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Galway University Hospital and Portiuncula Hospital Ballinasloe
• Ms Orla O’Connell, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement & Loss, CUMH
• Ms Anne O’ Flynn, Clinical Nurse Specialist Perinatal Mental Health, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Ms Aideen Quigley, Risk & Quality Project Manager, National Women & Infants Health Programme
• Ms Margaret Quigley, National Lead for Midwifery, Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD)
• Rachel Rice, Parent Advocate & School of Applied Social Studies, UCC
• Dr Nóirín Russell, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Cork University Maternity Hospital
• Ms Jennifer Uí Dhubhgain, The Miscarriage Association of Ireland
• Ms Anna Maria Verling, Midwife
• Ms Jill Whelan, Clinical Midwife Specialist in Bereavement & Loss, University Hospital Waterford

Dissemination Activities

Journal Articles:

Dennehy R, Hennessy M, Meaney S, Matvienko-Sikar K, O’Sullivan-Lago R, Ui Dhubhgain J, Lucey C, O’Donoghue K. How we define recurrent miscarriage matters: a qualitative exploration of the views of people with professional or lived experience. Health Expect. 2022; 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13607

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Doherty J, O’Donoghue K. Outsourcing transcription: Extending ethical considerations in qualitative research. Qual Health Res. 2022; 32(7):1197-1204. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F10497323221101709

Hennessy M, Linehan L, Dennehy R, Devane D, Rice R, Meaney S, O'Donoghue K. Developing guideline-based key performance indicators for recurrent miscarriage care: lessons from a multi-stage consensus process with a diverse stakeholder group. Res Involv Engagem 2022; 8, 18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40900-022-00355-9

Linehan L, Hennessy M and O'Donoghue K. Infertility and subsequent recurrent miscarriage: Current state of the literature and future considerations for practice and research [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review.] HRB Open Res 2021, 4:100 (https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13397.1)

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Meaney S, Linehan L, Devane D, Rice R, O'Donoghue K. Clinical practice guidelines for recurrent miscarriage in high-income countries: A systematic review. Reprod BioMed Online. 2021; 42(6), 1146-1171. https://www.rbmojournal.com/article/sS1472-6483(21)00100-0/fulltext

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Meaney S et al. A protocol for a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines for recurrent miscarriage [version 3; peer review: 2 approved, 2 approved with reservations]. HRB Open Res 2020, 3:12 (https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13024.3)

Project Updates:

Project Update 1: July 2020

Project Update 2: October 2020

Project Update 3: December 2020

Project Update 4: February 2021

Project Update 5: June 2021

Project Update 6: September 2021

Project Update 7: November 2021

Project Update 8: March 2022

Project Update 9: July 2022

Policy Briefs:

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, O'Donoghue K. How we define recurrent miscarriage matters. PLRG Policy Brief 3. 2022; Sept 27

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Meaney S, Linehan L, Devane D, Rice R, Keelin O'Donoghue K. Clinical practice guidelines for recurrent miscarriage in high-income countries: A systematic review. PLRG Policy Brief 2. 2021; Jun 29. 

Blogs: 

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Rice R. Using evidence and stakeholder engagement to optimise and standardise care for women and men who experience recurrent miscarriage. HRB Open Res, 12 October 2020. 

Press Releases:

New Survey Examines the Care Experiences of Women and Their Partners Who Have Had Recurrent Miscarriages - September 2021

Infant: Baby Loss Awareness Week, October 2020 

Newspaper/Magazine Articles:

McDonnell C, O’Callaghan H, Stevens J. (2021, June 11) Miscarriage in Ireland: "I am so sorry, but your baby has no heartbeat". Irish Examiner. https://www.irishexaminer.com/lifestyle/healthandwellbeing/arid-40311575.html

Walker, M. (2022, February 14) One of Ireland’s foremost pregnancy loss clinicians, Professor Keelin O’Donoghue on coping with multiple miscarriages. Image Magazine, https://www.image.ie/self/one-of-irelands-foremost-pregnancy-loss-clinicians-professor-keelin-odonoghue-on-coping-with-multiple-miscarriages-383444

Sheridan, C. (2022, March 24) Researchers on path to help reduce numbers of miscarriages. Irish Examiner, https://www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored/arid-40830269.html

Sheridan, C. (2022, March 24) Couple's joy at forming a family despite nine miscarriages. Irish Examiner, https://www.irishexaminer.com/sponsored/arid-40830290.html

For further information, contact:

Marita Hennessy, PhD: maritahennessy@ucc.ie

Hannah O’Leary: hannaholeary@ucc.ie

Funding: