Strategies for Addressing Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (Virtual Symposium)-HANDOUT: 02-Sciscione

HANDOUT: 02-Sciscione - Real_world-challenges_RPL

Pdf Summary

This document, authored by Anthony Sciscione, DO, addresses the profound impact of reproductive loss—including miscarriage and stillbirth—on individuals and families. Miscarriage affects 10-20% of known pregnancies, while stillbirth occurs in about 1 in 160 pregnancies. The emotional toll is significant, frequently causing anxiety, depression, and strain on family relationships as different members cope in varied ways. Financial burdens and social stigma may also impede seeking support.<br /><br />The challenges and care needs vary by gestational age (first, second, third trimesters). Effective management involves a compassionate, multidisciplinary approach encompassing:<br /><br />1. Compassionate Care: Physicians should provide empathetic support, create a safe space for emotional expression, and validate patients’ experiences.<br /><br />2. Medical Assessment: Thorough evaluation to identify medical causes (e.g., hormonal, anatomical) and discussion of options to improve future pregnancy outcomes.<br /><br />3. Mental Health Support: Referrals to grief and reproductive loss specialists and promotion of support groups for shared experiences.<br /><br />4. Education: Providing resources about reproductive loss, coping strategies, and potential causes to empower patients.<br /><br />5. Follow-up Care: Regular appointments to monitor recovery and discuss fertility or preventive options for future pregnancies.<br /><br />6. Personalized Treatment: Tailoring care plans to individual medical and emotional needs, integrating holistic approaches for overall healing.<br /><br />7. Open Communication: Encouraging patients and partners to voice their needs and be involved in care decisions, acknowledging the broader relational impact.<br /><br />The document also highlights phrases that providers should avoid, as they can minimize or invalidate the patient’s grief (e.g., “It was probably for the best,” “You should be over it by now,” or “It’s not a real baby”).<br /><br />Finally, it recognizes the difficulty providers face in addressing reproductive loss, underscoring the importance of education and sensitive approaches across all levels of healthcare staff—from learners to senior faculty and nursing.

Keywords

reproductive loss

miscarriage

stillbirth

emotional impact

compassionate care

mental health support

medical assessment

patient education

follow-up care

open communication