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

[KateMumsnet]

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

Reposting my comment from the other thread:

For a start, could they not use removal instead of evacuation. AFAIK they are synonyms and I personally don't find removal quite such a repulsive word.

I slightly prefer pregnancy tissue to retained products of conception as it implies that the situation is being recognised formally as being an actual pregnancy, not just a sort of medical blip.

Thanks for reposting piprabbit, that's very useful.

Marking place.
I will get on to the scanning and emailing tomorrow :)

Please can you remind me how to check if my MP has signed up? Thanks

RRPT
Removal of Retained Pregnancy Tissue?

RMPT
Removal of Misscarried Pregnancy Tissue?

Agree removal is a better term but there could be a better phrase than PT

Is material any better than tissue?

Not IMO, material suggests rubbish to me.
How can I check if my MP has signed up please?

I think that the word "conception" is hurtful to some, because it is such a great moment, when you know you have conceived, that you have made that baby.

"products" sounds very clinical, but the same could be said of "tissues".

Which is understandable, as they have to use "medical language".

"evacuation" for me suggests moving someone to safety - not a connotation that is correct here.

Removal of non-viable pregnancy?

Medical Conclusion of Non-Viable Pregnancy

I don't know what the background is on why it was changed to ERPC from D&C (dilation and curettage). My first MMC I was told I was having a D&C ( 8 years ago ) and my second MMC I was told I was having an ERPC ( 6 years ago ). Nobody explained there was no difference.

Personally, I much prefer the term D&C - as it is technical enough not to have me overthinking it, if that makes sense. I prefer it, on reflection, to any other terminology that describes the process more specifically. I realise its a very personal thing though.

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

I think I agree with Taffeta, I know it sounds a bit silly in this day and age when we're meant to face everything head on, but I think there is value in being a bit euphemistic. I'm if if there's a layer of protection for people who've lost a pregnancy to think 'lost foetus' rather than 'lost baby', but maybe I'm wrong?

Thanks for all the comments. You can find out if you're MP has supported the campaign here

Written to MP

I agree, I prefer D&C to ERPC too.

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.

@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!

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

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

not pedantic, kreecher - just more accurate.

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'

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.

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.

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)

surgical conclusion to miscarriage?