Pregnancy Loss
The Problem
Pregnancy loss is widely prevalent, 1 in 4 pregnancies does not end with a live baby for various reasons. In addition to the physical and emotional toll of pregnancy loss or a still-birth women often have to cope with healthcare services that pose an additional challenge. For example, women told us they went through a miscarriage in a hospital corridor without privacy or even a bed to lie on, or encountered bureaucratic obstacles to receiving adequate care.
In 2019, the Ministry of Health had published a protocol aimed at addressing these issues; however, in practice, significant shortcomings persist in the care given to women surrounding pregnancy loss.
Therefore, we conducted a comprehensive study among 1,200 women to map the existing gaps.
Promoting Change
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Our study found that:
there is a need for training of medical staff in delivering bad news, and in empathetic and effective communication.
Information regarding miscarriages, abortions, different treatments and procedures, as well as sources for medical and emotional assistance should be made accessible to patients through the Ministry of Health, hospitals and HMO's.
Training programs should be developed and implemented for physicians to facilitate shared decision-making with patients.
Hospital environments should be adjusted to meet the specific needs of women going through pregnancy loss; including waiting areas that provide privacy and are not shared with maternity patients.
Coordination and continuity of care between hospitals and community healthcare require improvement.
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We continuously work promote awareness, knowledge and practical tools for both medical staff and patients regarding pregnancy loss and women’s needs and rights surrounding it through the media, talks and training programs for doctors and other healthcare professionals.
We recently created a form that allows women with a history of pregnancy loss to provide their medical history in a hospital or clinic setting without having to repeat it verbally. Hadassah University Hospital, Mt. Scopus had adopted this form and offers it to patients.
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So far we supported three initiatives through our Bor’ot incubator that aim to improve the medical care given to women in miscarriages, still births and abortions:
Sheba Medical center pregnancy loss clinic – interdisciplinary center offering women medical, emotional and administrative support surrounding miscarriages and abortions.
Kama clinic – a clinic at the Soroka Medical center to support women and couples who experienced pregnancy loss
Souraski Medical Center clinic for women following still-birth.