Abstract

Recurrent miscarriage (RM) and infertility are separately associated with mental distress and poor pregnancy outcomes. The experience of both is devastating for women/couples but is not considered in clinical guidance for RM or fertility care. We explored healthcare professional (HCP) views on the provision of care to women and couples with RM and infertility in Ireland, as well as the experiences of women who use these services. We interviewed 16 HCPs working in RM and fertility services and 17 women with lived experience of two or more miscarriages who had received fertility care across the country. We developed four themes in our analysis: (1) ‘Exploring all avenues’: stigma and misinformation around RM and infertility affected care seeking. (2) ‘Exhausting all resources’: there were physical, emotional and financial impacts. (3) ‘Separateness’: women felt remote from others and removed from services. (4) ‘No woman is an island’: supports came from multiple sources in different forms but were limited. The experience of RM and infertility is complex, with a deep impact on the lives of women and their partners. Alongside financial and psychological supports, there is a need for greater education and awareness of miscarriage and fertility.