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Maternal views of the management of foetal remains following early miscarriage

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Catherine Jackman ,
Hannah McGee  and
Michael Turner
Catherine Jackman
Affiliation:
St. Fintan's Hospital, Portlaoise, Co. Laois
Hannah McGee
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin 2
Michael Turner
Affiliation:
Coombe Lying-in Hospital, Dublin 8
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Abstract

Objective: Recommendations for the sensitive management of perinatal and late pregnancy deaths are now widely applied. This study assessed management experiences and preferences of women who had an early miscarriage to ascertain if current practices are acceptable to these women. Method: Women who had experienced a first trimester miscarriage in the previous year and had attended hospital were identified from hospital and GP records. They were interviewed using a semi-structural format (N=27) and asked about their own experiences and opinions regarding viewing the foetus following miscarriage and making burial arrangements. Results: Most women did not see their miscarried foetus (85%) or know what burial arrangements had been made for the foetus (92%). Preferences regarding these issues were varied but all women felt that parents should be consulted. Conclusions: Recommendations on specific arrangements for the viewing of and disposal of remains following early miscarriage may be secondary to the provision of choice for the parents involved.

Keywords

MiscarriageMaternal views
Type
Clinical & Brief Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 10 , Issue 2 , June 1993 , pp. 93 - 94
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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References

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