Modified Delphi for Genomic Bereavement Care

Overview

It is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, be these early miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, or later intrauterine losses for any reason. Genomics is a major part of pregnancy loss, and clinicians want to offer the best and most appropriate test available to women and their families, whilst ensuring that there is equity in the access to this testing, so that no family goes through a loss without the right support and information. Whilst there is limited information to inform professionals as to how to incorporate genomics into bereavement care there is a need to identify current expert consensus as to how this should be performed, in order to make recommendations for best practice.

There is a lack of guidance available as to how to care for women and families who suffer a pregnancy loss where fetal anomalies have been found and a genetic cause is suspected. As it is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss, these families make up a significant proportion of the population that maternity services care for and with no consensus in this area many families may have a poor experience. As the field of genomics rapidly advances, it is important that patient care reflects the changes in practice and that the most appropriate tests and support are offered. All aspects of patient care will be reviewed including diagnosis, delivery, laboratory investigations, postnatal care and follow up in future pregnancies. The role of the genomics midwife will be explored and the role of the bereavement midwife will be further defined when it comes to support following pregnancy loss where there is likely an underlying genomic cause. The aim of this modified delphi study is to understand what the current expert consensus is for genomic bereavement care. Using this, best practice guidance will be written that can be used within the NHS to better support families who suffer pregnancy loss during this pregnancy and in the future.

Conditions