Infertility and subsequent recurrent miscarriage
What is this project about?
Recurrent miscarriage and infertility are independently associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, in addition to psychological impacts. Experiencing pregnancy loss alongside infertility is particularly difficult. International guidance regarding recurrent miscarriage is conflicting, and its applicability to women with infertility is undetermined.
The aim of this project is to better understand how women/couples with recurrent miscarriage and a history of infertility are cared for, investigated and treated within the health service here in Ireland, and their care experiences and outcomes, as well as exploring international experiences within the scientific literature. Findings will provide much needed evidence to inform care structures and supports, in addition to future guidance, in Ireland and beyond.
What is involved?
- Review examining the current state of the literature regarding recurrent miscarriage and infertility
- Retrospective cohort study examining pregnancy outcomes following recurrent first trimester miscarriage
- Recurrent miscarriage and infertility cohort audit investigating the care of women against guideline-based key performance indicators for recurrent miscarriage care
- National service evaluation of recurrent miscarriage and infertility care
- Content analysis of Irish and UK Websites regarding miscarriage and risk factors
- Qualitative study exploring the experiences of recurrent miscarriage and infertility within Irish maternity services
- Development of a national clinical practice guideline for recurrent miscarriage.
Who is involved?
Project team
| Name | Affiliation | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Dr Laura Linehan | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | PhD Student |
| Professor Keelin O'Donoghue | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Primary Supervisor |
| Marita Hennessy, PhD | Pregnancy Loss Research Group | Co-supervisor |
Dissemination activities
Journal articles
- Linehan L, Hennessy M, O'Donoghue K. Infertility and subsequent recurrent miscarriage: Current state of the literature and future considerations for practice and research [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]. HRB Open Research. 2021;4:100. https://doi.org/10.12688/hrbopenres.13397.1.
- Linehan LA, San Lazaro Campillo I, Hennessy M, Flannery C, O’Donoghue K. Reproductive outcomes following recurrent first trimester miscarriage: A retrospective cohort study. Human Reproduction Open. 2022;2022(4):hoac045. https://doi.org/10.1093/hropen/hoac045.
- Linehan L, Hennessy M, O'Donoghue K. An examination of care received by women with recurrent miscarriage and infertility against guideline-based key performance indicators. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2023;282:17-23. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.01.002.
- Linehan L, Hennessy M, O'Donoghue K. Recurrent miscarriage and infertility: A national service evaluation. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2023;43(2). https://doi.org/10.1080/01443615.2023.2241916.
Clinical guideline
- Linehan L, Hennessy M, Khalid A, Whelan J, O’Donoghue K. National Clinical Practice Guideline: Assessment and Management of Recurrent Miscarriage. National Women and Infants Health Programme and The Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. January 2023. https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/who/acute-hospitals-division/woman-infants/clinical-guidelines/.
Project status
Ongoing: July 2020 to July 2024
Further information
Please email Dr Laura Linehan: laura.linehan@ucc.ie