Conservative management of spontaneous abortions. Women's experiences.
OBJECTIVE
To describe women's experiences with expectant management of spontaneous abortions.


METHODS
Descriptive survey using questionnaires with fixed-choice and open-ended questions. The latter were analyzed for themes, using qualitative methods.


METHODS
Urban and suburban private primary care family practices.


METHODS
A convenience sample of family practice patients (59 of 80 eligible) pregnant for less than 12 weeks who had spontaneous abortions without surgery. Response rate was 84.7%; 50 questionnaires were received from the 59 women.


METHODS
Women were asked about their physical experiences, including amount of pain and bleeding; emotional effects; their satisfaction with medical care; and their suggestions for improving care.


RESULTS
The mean worst pain experienced during a spontaneous abortion on an 11-point scale was 5.9. Bleeding varied, but was often very heavy. Satisfaction rate was 92.9% with family physician care and 84.6% with hospital care. Women described the emotional effect of "natural" spontaneous abortions and made recommendations for improving care.


CONCLUSIONS
A better understanding of the physical and emotional experiences of the women in this study might help physicians better prepare and support patients coping with expectant management of spontaneous abortions.
Wiebe
E
E
Department of Family Practice, University of British Columbia. ewiebe@interchange.ubc.ca
Janssen
P
P
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003376:Counseling; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy