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Miscarriage

Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study

Our qualitative analysis supports the need for a standardised, dedicated and adequately resourced and supported recurrent miscarriage service – including dedicated staff, dedicated space and time, and dedicated funding and support.

Authors

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, O’Donoghue K

Year
2025
Journal Name
BMJ Open
Category
Journal Article
Keywords
Awareness / Knowledge, Bereavement care, Experience, First-trimester miscarriage, Impact, Miscarriage, Recurrent miscarriage, Staff training
Project

RE:CURRENT

Full Citation

Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Matveinko-Sikar K, O’Sullivan-Lago R, Ui Dhubhgain J, Lucey C, O’Donoghue K. Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study. BMJ Open. 2025;15:e094753. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094753.

Link to Publication
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-094753

Abstract

People who experience miscarriage often report poor care experiences within health services around the time of miscarriage and beyond; less is known about recurrent miscarriage (RM) care. We conducted qualitative interviews to explore the views of knowledge users regarding RM services and supports; specifically: (a) practices and experiences and (b) factors that influence the provision of desired services and supports. We interviewed 13 women and 7 men/partners who had experienced ≥2 consecutive miscarriages, and 42 people involved in the delivery and/or management of RM services and supports, between June 2020 and February 2021. We generated three themes from the data: (1) dedicated staff; (2) dedicated space and time and (3) dedicated funding and support—prioritise RM. Our analysis supports the need for a standardised, dedicated and adequately resourced and supported service. One in which people experiencing RM are offered appropriate, individualised, timely and accessible care and support—beginning following the first miscarriage and following a graded model. Implementation requires several multilevel actions, including prioritising RM care, adequately funding and resourcing services, enhancing health professional education and support, care coordination within and between hospitals and primary care and improving public awareness of, and addressing stigma surrounding, miscarriage.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

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