Publications
‘An extra level of kind of torment’: Views and experiences of recurrent miscarriage care during the initial phases of COVID-19 in Ireland—A qualitative interview study
Our analysis provides rich insights into the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the way recurrent miscarriage care is provided & experienced, with important implications for early pregnancy, miscarriage & recurrent miscarriage care. Deprioritisation of miscarriage services is of particular concern.
- Authors
Rebecca Dennehy, Marita Hennessy, Keelin O'Donoghue
- Year
- 2023
- Journal Name
- Health Expectations
- Category
- Journal Article
- Keywords
- COVID-19, Experience, Impact, Miscarriage, Recurrent miscarriage
- Project
- Full Citation
Dennehy, R, Hennessy, M, Dhubhgain, JU, Lucey, C, O′Donoghue, K. ‘An extra level of kind of torment’: views and experiences of recurrent miscarriage care during the initial phases of COVID-19 in Ireland—a qualitative interview study. Health Expectations. 2023;26(4):1768-1782. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13791.
- Link to Publication
- https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13791
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Abstract
Within a national evaluation of recurrent miscarriage care, we explored stakeholder views and experiences of services. This study describes the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on those experiences and perceptions of care. We interviewed 42 service providers and 13 women and 7 men with experience of two or more consecutive miscarriages between June 2020 and February 2021. ‘Disconnected’ describes how many women navigated miscarriage diagnosis and management and care in subsequent pregnancies alone; many felt that this resulted in increased trauma. At the same time, men struggled with not being present to support their partners and described feeling disconnected. People also highlighted ‘The perceived dispensability of recurrent miscarriage services and supports’. Some service providers felt that service reduction and redeployment demonstrated a lack of value in the service. Virtual clinics facilitated access to services, but a preference for in-person care was highlighted. Our analysis provides rich insights into the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the way recurrent miscarriage care is provided and experienced, with important implications for early pregnancy, miscarriage and recurrent miscarriage care. Services have undergone significant changes and, while these may be temporary, how services should be delivered in the future requires consideration.
Infographic text
- Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on recurrent miscarriage services
- Views and experiences of people with personal or professional experience of recurrent first-trimester miscarriage from 62 interviews across Ireland
- What we found:
- Disconnection: Restrictions resulted in many women navigating a miscarriage diagnosis and management and care in subsequent pregnancies alone, while men struggled with not being present to support their partners
- Dispensability of services: Some service providers felt that service reduction and redeployment demonstrated a lack of value in the service. Virtual clinics facilitated access to services, but a preference for in-person care was highlighted
- What's needed?
- More compassionate, person-centred policies and approaches within early pregnancy, miscarriage, and recurrent miscarriage care
- The deficits in care and care experiences highlighted pre-pandemic must also be considered in delivery of future services
- QR code to paper: https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.13791.