Charity calls on government to bring in miscarriage support.
The pregnancy and baby charity Tommy’s says its model for miscarriage care – based on earlier support than the NHS – could prevent thousands of families from experiencing further loss. Currently, most women suffer three miscarriages before the NHS routinely provides follow-up care, which Tommy’s argues is inadequate.
The charity has developed a graded system which offers support after every miscarriage, creating earlier opportunities to spot health issues that can affect pregnancies.
A pilot study at Birmingham Women’s Hospital compared two groups of 203 women who had suffered miscarriages. One group was treated under standard NHS care, while the other received Tommy’s model.
Under the graded model, after the first miscarriage, women had a screening to identify any mental health support needed. They were also offered a one-to-one consultation with a specialist nurse to discuss lifestyle changes and the use of the hormone progesterone, which can prevent pregnancy loss.
Following a second miscarriage, women were offered tests for abnormal thyroid function and anaemia as well as reassurance scans for a future pregnancy.
After a third loss, the offering is the same as the NHS, including a pelvic ultrasound, further blood tests and referral to a recurrent miscarriage clinic.
Risk reduction
Researchers found that anaemia and thyroid problems were spotted sooner for those receiving the graded model of care, demonstrating that women shouldn’t have to suffer a third miscarriage before being given simple blood tests.
Analysis found a reduction in the risk of miscarriage for those in the test group.
While this reduction was small, at 4%, Tommy’s predicts the project could prevent around 10,000 miscarriages annually if applied nationally, based on the estimated 250,000 which occur each year.
“NHS care and support for women who experience a miscarriage in the UK is inconsistent and generally involves no follow-up or tests until after a third loss,” said Tommy’s chief executive Kath Abrahams.
“The three miscarriage wait means women and families are left without early access to services that could help prevent future losses and reduce the debilitating feelings of isolation and hopelessness that we know affect so many who experience pregnancy loss,” she added.
Last month, the government committed to considering the rollout of Tommy’s model.
NHS Scotland has already made changes to miscarriage care, including not waiting until a third miscarriage.
Abrahams added: “Scotland has already taken the first step towards implementation, embedding this model into its miscarriage pathway. We are now urging policymakers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to make the graded model of miscarriage care available across the UK as soon as possible.”
