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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Mumsnet Campaign For Better Miscarriage Care - can you help with next steps?

38 replies

KateMumsnet · 24/11/2011 20:50

Thanks again for all your work so far - we've had some great coverage and loads of support. Now the difficult bit - actually changing things - begins.

You probably remember that our Miscarriage Code of Care stresses the importance of communicating sensitively with miscarrying parents. In particular, many of you found the term "evacuation of retained products of conception", used to describe the surgical management of miscarriage, very upsetting.

Following on from our campaign, the Department of Health have agreed to consider alternative terms suggested by MNers. We do understand that this might be distressing but, if you can, please do post your thoughts here - it could be an important first step to real progress.

The DH are interested in all suggestions, though bear in mind that the language needs to be very precise and clear; parents have to formally consent to this procedure, so it's crucial that the phrase isn't open to misinterpretation.

As an example, in some of their literature the RCOG use the term 'pregnancy tissue'. Is this preferable, do you think, or is there a better term?

And if you don't want to suggest an alternative, please do check if your MP has signed up. It would be really powerful if we could get a 100 signatures before Christmas.

MNHQ x

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KateMumsnet · 29/03/2012 11:04

Hello everyone

Just to let you know that we've posted about progress on the renaming of ERPC on over here.

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nappymaestro · 19/03/2012 13:37

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CBear6 · 19/03/2012 12:53

I was wondering too what the latest news is with the campaign?

HelenMumsnet · 15/03/2012 12:35

I'm not sure, nappymaestro, but I will def ask Those in the Know to come along and update you.

nappymaestro · 15/03/2012 08:25

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nappymaestro · 24/01/2012 15:51

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KateMumsnet · 23/01/2012 16:18

Hello nappymaestro - yes, quick update here.

We passed on your suggestions to the Dept of Health and have had a nice reply - their initial thinking is that 'surgical completion of miscarriage' is sensible, and the more so because it's been suggested by parents who've been through the experience of miscarriage.

Coincidentally, the Royal College of Obs and Gynae are also examining this issue at the moment - we're off to meet with them next week to find out more, and we'll keep you updated.

MNHQ x

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nappymaestro · 21/01/2012 16:04

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musicposy · 17/12/2011 22:28

Yes, I like Surgical Completion of Miscarriage, followed by D&C. Much better than ERPC.

I too don't like the term non-viable pregnancy much. I have an underactive thyroid that doctors knew about but couldn't be arsed to treat (said they would look at it at 12 weeks with the other blood tests). So I suspect it was very much viable, but someone else fucked up.Sad For this reason, miscarriage was better for me.

blackeyedsanta · 16/12/2011 20:28

surgical completion of miscarriage.

can't think of anything else constructive to say.

one of the links on the page of mp's did not work.

KateMumsnet · 08/12/2011 14:41

Thank you all very much for these suggestions. It looks as though there's a consensus forming around 'Surgical Completion of Miscarriage', with 'D&C' being the next preferred term. We're planning to send these suggestions to the DH early next week, so if you have any other comments or thoughts do post them here.

MNHQ x

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SparklyGingerbreadMuffin · 05/12/2011 14:54

I prefer the term 'Surgical Completion of Miscarriage' from the suggestions so far.

I did get fed up with hearing the term 'Pregnancy Products' I must say.

I am sensitive though. I don't really like miscarriage either, as it sort of implies that I f**ked up, but it's such a common term I can't
imagine anything replacing it, nor can I think of an alternative .

iggi999 · 28/11/2011 22:53

I would hate to see the term "non-viable" used, I think I have lost both viable and non-viable pregnancies, which I take to mean ones where there was something wrong with the baby and ones were there weren't. Much recurrent mc research is surely about stopping women miscarrying viable babies.

bamboozled · 28/11/2011 21:35

surgical conclusion to miscarriage?

LunaticFringe · 28/11/2011 14:25

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insertcleverusernamehere · 28/11/2011 12:44

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chobbler · 27/11/2011 00:20

Agree with Tanith the abortion statement was numbing at the time, and makes me angry to still see it in my medical notes now. I actually asked for the word to be changed but got muttered procedures etc.

One natural completion of miscarriage without intervention
One natural completion of miscarriage with intervention
One surgical completion of miscarriage
One natural completion of miscarriage caused by a fall- it may have been a viable pregnancy we will never know.
and in hospital the houseman used ERPC on my notes but called it a D and C in conversation. (husband informs me I'm afraid I was sky high on Pethidine)

Tanith · 26/11/2011 21:02

I can't adequately describe the distress I felt at seeing my 6 miscarriages termed as "abortions" in my hospital notes. I think almost anything is better than that.

I don't think it's necessary to have over-complicated PC style references. Just a little empathy and consideration is all that's needed.

MmeLindor. · 26/11/2011 13:49

onholiday
I liked to think of my miscarriages being a "non-viable" pregnancy, in that it gave me comfort to think that there was nothing that I could have done to prevent it. I can see thought that others would see it differently.

I think "surgical completion of miscarriage" is good.

WhoKilledLauraPalmer · 26/11/2011 13:09

not pedantic, kreecher - just more accurate. Smile

after talking a bit more with DP, we agree that using the term 'miscarriage' versus 'non-viable pregnancy' is better wording - clear and appropriate while also considerate of a myriad of causal factors.

'surgical completion of miscarriage'

onholidaywithbaby · 26/11/2011 12:04

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BelleCurve · 26/11/2011 09:27

I agree that ERPC is unnecessarily distressing and confusing - don't get me started on incompetent cervix and ovarian drilling. I'm pretty sure they would have more sensitive terminology if relating to male body parts.

Also, it can be confusing as I often get the acronym muddled up (if giving medical history for example). I don't want to think through each of the words to remember the correct acronym and apparently there is a procedure called ERCP for gallbladders

kreecherlivesupstairs · 26/11/2011 09:27

Surely surgical conclusion would be the proper term. Sorry to be pedantic.

RowanMumsnet · 26/11/2011 09:08

@Taffeta

The Miscarriage Code of Care is on the agenda locally, being raised at an upcoming meeting with the SHA and local councillors.

That's great, Taffeta - please keep us informed!

WhoKilledLauraPalmer · 26/11/2011 08:48

Agree with Taffeta - Having just gone through my second miscarriage I would have much rather heard the term D&C or even, as MmeLindor suggested, "medical conclusion of non-viable pregnancy".

Will contact local MP for signature -

Thank you, MN.