Authors (including presenting author) :
TAYLOR Dorothy
Affiliation :
CHAN Chao Ngan, NG Ching Wah, FUNG Hiu Yi, DIU Hiu Lam, SHUM Wai Man, FOO Shuk Lai
Introduction :
Tragically, approximately 1 in 8 pregnancies end with a miscarriage with almost 80% occurring within the first trimester. Some studies suggested that as a result of the miscarriage experience, women are frequently impacted by negative emotions such as self-blame, fear, depression and anxiety. The needs of effected women and their families are often neglected; the grief of miscarriage is not well socially recognized and often considered a taboo topic of conversation which can further compound its impact and lead to feelings of isolation. Research studies have shown that this psychological distress can be reduced by appropriate counselling and psychological support. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professional to provide support and address the clients concern by giving accurate and understandable information about miscarriage and how they can get further support and advice.
Objectives :
To address to the psychological needs for those with miscarriage during the first trimester.
To give information, psychological support and address the clients' concern about miscarriage.
Methodology :
Traditionally, women admitted with first trimester miscarriage will receive treatment and follow-ups in our department. The standard practice for counselling is to provide it either during the client’s hospital stay or by phone follow-up call sometime after discharge. In order to aid client's psychological wellbeing and attend to their questions and concerns, a newly designed sympathy card and information leaflet with information on approaches and procedure for handling abortuses, bodily changes after miscarriage and related support services such as local support groups for women and their families will be provided upon discharge. It is hoped that this sympathy card and information leaflet serve dual purposes, both information on miscarriage and framework for staff to discuss and provide counselling to the bereaved client. Therefore, the bereaved client, or the couple, can be connected from hospital to community, to walk together through the grief and
pain from miscarriage.
Result & Outcome :
In between June 2023 to April 2024, the sympathy card and information leaflet were given to 87 cases. Phone follow-ups were conducted, most of the clients continued their follow-ups in our department. One of them mentioned the information leaflet gave practical advice on how to take care of her physiological changes, and another client found the information useful for preparing for next pregnancy. A few clients
found the leaflet helpful and supportive, which gave them ideas on the psychological and social challenges they faced.
A miscarriage can have a profound impact on woman and her family, advice and support are important during this difficult time. It is important to express and acknowledge the feeling. As a healthcare professional, we would like to walk through the grief and miscarriage with our clients, from hospital to the
community, from the loss and pain towards the next pregnancy.
