Expectant or surgical management of miscarriage: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
To explore women's reasons for selecting either expectant or surgical management of first trimester miscarriage and to examine the impact of treatment upon them.


METHODS
A qualitative study using interviews.


METHODS
The Early Pregnancy and Gynaecology Assessment Unit at a London hospital.


METHODS
Thirteen women diagnosed as having a first trimester miscarriage who had opted for either expectant management (n= 5), surgical management (n= 5) or who had undergone both (n= 3).


METHODS
Qualitative in depth interviews.


METHODS
The experience of management.


RESULTS
The choice of expectant management was motivated by desire for a natural solution and a fear of operation. Women described how pain and bleeding had made them anxious, that something was wrong and how they felt unprepared for how gruelling the experience would be. Some also described how their support had dwindled as the miscarriage progressed. In contrast, women who chose surgery valued a quick resolution and focussed on the support from hospital staff, although some commented that their emotional needs had not always been met.


CONCLUSIONS
If expectant management is to be more widely offered, women should be told not only of the likely clinical effect of letting a miscarriage run its course but also how women experience this.
Ogden
Jane
J
Department of General Practice, Guys Kings and St Thomas School of Medicine, London, UK.
Maker
Cathy
C
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First; D014592:Uterine Hemorrhage / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery