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

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.

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 .

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

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.

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. For this reason, miscarriage was better for me.

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

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

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

Hello everyone

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