CM. Communicating Pregnancy Loss
Loss Pre Heartbeat
- Parents will use the phrases ‘baby’ and ‘pregnancy’ from the moment that they find they’re pregnant so this terminology should be used at all times by the sonographer and clinic staff.
- Terms such as ‘fetal pole’ and ‘gestation sac’ should be avoided.
- Where a baby is not visible, it should be stated clearly that ‘there is a pregnancy sac but a baby cannot be seen within the sac as it died whilst it was too small to be seen with ultrasound’.
- Be sensitive to the words the woman uses (baby, pregnancy, fetus etc.), and then use the same language. If you’re not sure what language to use, ask her what she would prefer
Early Loss After Heartbeat
This finding should be communicated in simple, clear language, explaining that the baby has ‘died’. Wish statements can be used if appropriate. The next steps (the referral process) should be simply explained before the end of the scan.
Late Pregnancy Loss
It is important that regret is communicated by using phrases such as ‘I am afraid it is unexpected news… and ‘I’m sorry, I’m afraid I have found that …’
