Publications
How we define recurrent miscarriage matters: A qualitative exploration of the views of people with professional or lived experience
A nuanced approach to defining recurrent miscarriage is warranted, one which is evidence-informed, recognises individual people’s needs, and considers healthcare resources.
- Authors
Rebecca Dennehy, Marita Hennessy, Sarah Meaney, Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2022
- Journal Name
- Health Expectations
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- Awareness / Knowledge, Bereavement care, Clinical guideline(s), Experience, Impact, Miscarriage, Recurrent miscarriage
- Project
RE:CURRENT
- Full Citation
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 Expectations. 2022;1-13. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13607.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13607
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Abstract
How recurrent miscarriage is defined varies – for example, whether it is two or three or more miscarriages – and is much discussed. We interviewed 13 women and 7 men with lived experience of recurrent miscarriage, and 42 people who deliver or manage related services and supports, across Ireland to explore what they think about how recurrent miscarriage is, or should be, defined. Participants views and experiences centred around three themes: (i) The need for a standardized definition of recurrent miscarriage–Finding a balance between research evidence, individual needs and healthcare resources, (ii) The definition is a route to finding an answer and/or validating women/couples' experience of loss and (iii) Working around the definition—Advocacy and impacts. A nuanced approach to defining recurrent miscarriage is needed, one which is evidence-informed recognises the individual needs of women/couples, and considers healthcare resources.
Infographic text
- How we define recurrent miscarriage matters
- A qualitative exploration of the views of 62 people with professional or lived experience in the Republic of Ireland
- How recurrent miscarriage is defined varies (i.e. whether 2 or ≥3 miscarriages), and is much debated internationally
- A definition reflects the medical evidence and values of a society at the time - ongoing review is necessary
- Our analysis:
- A standardised definition of recurrent miscarriage is needed - one that balances research evidence, individual needs, and healthcare resources
- The definition is a route to finding an answer, validating women/couples' experience of loss, and providing necessary supports
- Working around the definition: Advocacy efforts on behalf of women/couples who do not meet the specified referral criteria can have positive and negative impacts.
- Our call to action:
- A more nuanced approach to defining recurrent miscarriage is needed. Our analysis reinforces international calls for standardisation, and a graded approach to care in which women/couples are offered appropriate, individualised, support, following one, two and three or more miscarriages.