New program to support bereaved parents through early pregnancy loss

An Australian-first early pregnancy loss support program has been developed to better address the emotional care of bereaved parents.

The program, M-HELP (Mental Health after Early Pregnancy Loss), was developed by University of Queensland senior lecturer and psychologist, Dr Marjolein Kammers and her research team and implemented at various Ramsay Health Care maternity hospital sites in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. 

Dr Kammers said the program aims to close a ‘mismatch’ between patient experience and healthcare staff training.

“Research shows early pregnancy loss is often experienced as a traumatic life event, associated with depression, anxiety, PTSD and significant grief and distress,’’ Dr Kammers said.

“This impact can be exacerbated by negative experiences with healthcare.

“Many bereaved parents report feeling unsupported or unseen by clinical terminology, dismissed in their loss, and/or isolated in their grief.''

“Our study provides important empirical evidence that a practical and integrated intervention – combining staff training with written support for patients and partners – can reduce symptoms of depression for woman and increase confidence and competence for healthcare providers.’’

Early pregnancy loss – before 20 weeks gestation – affects about one in 4 known pregnancies resulting in about 147,000 cases in Australia each year.

The M-HELP resources were informed by interviewing Ramsay Health Care patients, partners, midwives, nurses, obstetricians, anaesthetists and receptionists.

The program combines training for everyone involved in care, with a support booklet for bereaved patients and partners that acknowledges the emotional impact of the loss as well as answering key questions.

“No healthcare provider intends harm but a mismatch between the strong emotional emergency felt by bereaved parents and the often-limited medical urgency, as well as frequent and routine management, creates gaps in emotional side of the care,’’ Dr Kammers said.

“This often includes a lack of acknowledgement of the emotional impact, insensitive language, or insufficient information which can worsen distress.

“Many bereaved parents find clinical terms such as ‘missed abortion’, ‘products of conception’ and ‘fetal tissue’ confronting and distressing.

“This new approach shows improved women’s wellbeing and includes the partner in the management of the loss, while strengthening staff confidence and competence.’’

Dr Kammers said her goal for the program is for it to now be expanded nationally. 

“This program is easy to implement and ready to use, and we want to support as many bereaved parents and their healthcare providers as possible.’’

Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation (RHRF) CEO Nicola Ware said the RHRF awarded a grant to this project after recognising the potential to better empower healthcare workers.

“M-HELP is the first study in a private maternity hospital setting to create a comprehensive understanding of the best possible early pregnancy loss care from all different perspectives,” Ms Ware said.

Read the research published in Midwifery.

Collaborations and Acknowledgments 

The program is co-funded by The University of Queensland, The University of Melbourne, and the Ramsay Hospital Research Foundation.