Better Miscarriage Care - could you help with the renaming of ERPC (takes 20 seconds!)?

[KateMumsnet]

Hello

You might remember that we've been working with the Miscarriage Association and the Association of Early Pregnancy Units to find an alternative term for ERPC (Evacuation of Retained Products of Conception), a term which so many of you found insensitive and upsetting. Good news - there's been unanimous support from doctors, midwives, nurses and sonographers for finding a new name to describe the procedure.

Earlier this year we pointed you towards a survey which asked what you'd like the alternative term to be. The favourite amongst those on offer was 'surgical treatment of miscarriage', but many also unilaterally suggested 'surgical management of miscarriage', which wasn't one of the stated options at that time.

This phrase would fit in well with the terms already in use for alternative treatments - "medical management" (with tablets) and "expectant management" (or the natural process).

So could we possibly ask you one more time to follow this link and let us know which term you prefer? We know it's been a rather extended process, but it's a super-quick survey and it would be great to get this as right as we possibly can.

Thanks,

MNHQ

[cheeseandmushroomtoastie]

Done. Had a miscarriage last week and was horrified at some of the terminology used. Will never forget those conversations

[cheeseandmushroomtoastie]

Thank you mn.

[MrsS3]

long overdue to get this right :(
Wish this had been done 20 years ago (or 22 years ago yesterday, to be exact)

[2MumsAreBetterThan1]

Done.

Glad this is being looked into.
The medical profession could do with learning some sensitivity.

[TapirBackRider]

Done.

[NapaCab]

Done - good initiative.

I still think back to my discharge letter from hospital after my MC (MMC, supposed to have surgery but it happened naturally at home and all went a bit wrong so had to get ambulance and stay overnight in hospital) and the words 'spontaneous abortion' written on it. Made me sound like a cow or something as it's a term I'm only familiar with from veterinary practice, not human beings Really terrible insensitivity about MC in many hospitals still.

[mumnosbest]

done you dont treat a pg you manage it. mc should be the same imo. also treatment implies making it better. either are more sensitive to the original though. thanks MN!

[Slainte]

Done, thanks for campaigning on this MN.

[Luckystar96]

I agree about the term 'missed abortion' too. It was so horrible to have what had happened to our baby connected in any way to that word and everything it usually means.

[igggi]

It seems an odd time to make this positive change, when plans are also afoot to reduce women's access to erpcs by making them wait two weeks to see if it happens 'naturally' first.

[Lemele]

Done. I think some of the terminology used in the medical profession, but particularly used in relation to miscarriage/other related things, is exceptionally insensitive.

I agree about the 'missed abortion' term too.

[igggi]

Maples I quite agree. I am picturing someone in an office somewhere saying "But we gave you a nice new name for it, you mean you expect us to offer you it as well???"

[Imnotaslimjim]

Done. And I agree with PP's, there is still a lot to be learnt about sensitivity in the NHS with regards to all this

[LittleWhiteWolf]

done

[HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey]

Done

[KateMumsnet]

Many, many thanks to all those who've completed the survey so far.

iggi and maples - we know that there was a great deal of concern about the expectant management recommendation in the proposed NICE guidelines, and we'll be absolutely sure to represent your views on that when we feed back to the consultation.

In fact, there's still more than a month to go before the consultation finishes, so if anyone hasn't yet posted on the consultation thread, or has further points to make, please feel free to add your thoughts.

Thanks

MNHQ

[Taffeta]

Done. Good job MN

[toomuchmonthatendofthemoney]

Done, one small step and all that ....

[surroundedbyblondes]

Done.

I had my miscarriage outside the UK, so never came into contact with these terms until I was thankfully over the worst emotional distress. I believe very strongly that my ability to deal with the loss is down to the superb way in which the hcps helped me through that time. I was always spoken to like a real person, in practical jargon-free language.

[CouthyMow]

Done. Missed/spontaneous abortion is a phrase that makes me too. You choose to have an abortion, you DON'T choose to have a miscarriage.

[Taffeta]

Thanks for the link to the consultation thread.

The NICE recommendation for expectant management is appalling.

From the other thread:

"The recommendation re: 7-14 days waiting for expectant management are particularly cruel: how can you function for that long, particularly in a working environment, waiting for "nature to take it's course". Employers will be unhappy about increased levels of sickness, as women are signed off, with their lives on hold & unable to work."

[hanahsaunt]

Done. Tbh ERPC as a term/acronym didn't bother me. The SHO consistently and persisitently referring to my previous spontaneous miscarriage as an abortion I found abhorrent. I did complain.

[HurlerOnTheDitch]

Done. Thanks Mumsnet.