Nursing management in the accident and emergency department of women undergoing a miscarriage

Abstract

Women experiencing a miscarriage are a regular daily occurrence in some Accident and Emergency (A & E) departments. Each woman's miscarriage experience is unique and individual and women deserve an individual response to their problems, one that is built on trust and communication. Therefore, emergency nurses must appreciate that each woman is an individual and must explore the history she brings to the current event, the meaning she attributes to the miscarriage, and its impact on her life. These women need to be cared for in an environment that not only allows privacy but also respect and dignity. Nurses need to be able to communicate effectively, to give good physical care and be willing to take on the emotional significance that miscarriage can have. This paper aims to explore the needs of the woman experiencing a miscarriage. It attempts to look at what emergency nurses can do to meet those needs, and what can be done to make this difficult time as tolerable as possible for the woman or couple, when they present to the A & E department.