According to doctors, miscarriage treatment has to be enhanced
The article notes a disconnect between the medical perspective that early miscarriages are straightforward to manage and the deeply traumatic experiences of many patients.
An article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal calls for increased investment in early pregnancy assessment clinics to provide better care for women experiencing miscarriages, which can have profound emotional impacts.
The review highlights that early miscarriages affect one in five pregnancies in Canada, yet patients seeking help from emergency departments often receive inadequate care.
The article notes a disconnect between the medical perspective that early miscarriages are straightforward to manage and the deeply traumatic experiences of many patients.
It argues that specialized early pregnancy assessment clinics would offer more personalized, patient-centered care, with a deeper understanding of pregnancy complications and the grief associated with miscarriage.
Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass, an obstetrician-gynecologist at North York General Hospital and one of the article’s authors, stressed the importance of compassionate care that acknowledges the psychological toll of miscarriage.
She advocated for referring patients to early pregnancy clinics when needed, to help address feelings of grief, guilt, anxiety, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can linger for up to a year after a miscarriage.
While some hospitals, like North York General, have dedicated miscarriage clinics, Dr. Tunde-Byass emphasized that these services are not widespread but should be more widely implemented.
The Canadian Medical Association Journal also pointed out that pregnancy assessment services remain largely inaccessible, especially in rural areas of Canada.
