Giving women access to specialised care after their first miscarriage could prevent about 10,000 pregnancy losses each year across the UK, according to a new study. Currently, women in England, Wales and Northern Ireland must have had three miscarriages before becoming eligible for NHS specialist care for early baby loss.
The charity Tommy's has called for women to be eligible after one miscarriage, a model already available in Scotland. The graded model of care includes a nurse intervention after the first loss, providing advice on reducing risk factors such as low vitamin D, folic acid levels, alcohol and caffeine intake.
Tommy's study, involving 406 women, found a 4% reduction in the risk of future miscarriage for those on the graded model compared to usual care, which would translate to 10,075 fewer miscarriages annually. Women receiving specialist care were 47% more likely to have risk factors identified and receive relevant advice.
Among women who had experienced two miscarriages and received specialised care, one in five were found to have thyroid dysfunction or anaemia, both conditions that affect pregnancy outcomes. Kath Abrahams, chief executive of Tommy's, said women were being 'left without early access to services that could help prevent future losses and reduce the debilitating feelings of isolation and hopelessness'.
She added: 'Our pilot study indicates that providing support after a first miscarriage... is not only effective but achievable without significant additional workload for NHS teams.' Women's health minister Gillian Merron said: 'I welcome the findings of this important report, and this will be carefully considered as part of our ongoing work to make sure women get the high-quality, compassionate NHS care they deserve.'
