Acceptable Nomenclature for Pregnancy Loss Care: A Cross‐Sectional Observational Survey
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To conduct a pilot study evaluating the acceptability of pregnancy loss nomenclature among people with recent lived experience and make recommendations for UK mass communication. DESIGN: Electronic internet-based questionnaire. SETTING: UK. POPULATION OR SAMPLE: Service users who accessed UK healthcare for > 1 experience(s) of pregnancy loss between 2021 and 2024 (n = 391). METHODS: Descriptive and inferential statistics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Acceptability ratings for pregnancy loss nomenclature used diagnostically in UK healthcare settings. RESULTS: Much nomenclature currently in use in UK pregnancy loss care was rated 'unacceptable' by a majority of study participants. Spontaneous abortion, incompetent cervix, and cervical incompetence were among the terminology rated as 'unacceptable' by > 80.0% of the respondents rating terms for the process of loss. In contrast, pregnancy loss and ectopic pregnancy were rated 'acceptable' by > 80.0% of respondents. As nomenclature for pregnancy loss outcomes, products, contents of the womb/uterus, and tissue were rated 'unacceptable' by > 80.0% of respondents. Baby and 'their given name' were rated 'acceptable' by > 80.0% of respondents across all gestational age brackets. Some terminology elicited mixed acceptability ratings. CONCLUSIONS: Some pregnancy loss nomenclature attracted consensus acceptability or unacceptability ratings for respondents. The data inform evidence-based recommended alternatives, which should be adopted for mass communications relating to pregnancy loss.
Language: English
Subfield: Medical Terminology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $5,190
OpenAlex ID: W4415075290