The experience of miscarriage: how couples define quality in health care delivery.

A descriptive, ex post facto study to explore the experience of couples who had a spontaneous pregnancy loss before 16 weeks' gestation was completed with a convenience (volunteer) sample of 40 couples. For most couples, the miscarriage had occurred within the relatively recent past: 75% had their most recent loss within 3 years. During focused interviews that took place between August 1990 and January 1991, parents spoke of their perceptions of health care professionals and the health care system during their care and treatment at the time of the most recent pregnancy loss. Both men and women had strong feelings about the ways in which they were treated. Some described the care they received as particularly sensitive and supportive, whereas others described their care as hurtful and uncaring. Parents offered concrete suggestions for improving the quality of care at the time of pregnancy loss.