P –407 Early pregnancy in the Emergency Department; presentation, management, outcome and the effect of COVID–19

AbstractStudy questionHas the COVID –19 pandemic and public health guidance impacted referrals, outcome and management of early pregnancy in the emergency room?Summary answerCOVID –19 changed the way in which women sought guidance and accessed services in early pregnancy.What is known alreadySpontaneous miscarriage is the most common complication of pregnancy1. Experiencing an early pregnancy loss is often an unexpected and difficult time that can be physically traumatising2. A previous study looking at the experience of a miscarriage from both the female and male point of view identified that long waiting times surrounded by other pregnant women in the Emergency Department (ED) was particularly difficult part of the experience2. The COVID –19 pandemic had a significant impact on both hospital and community services. Public health advice also changed the way women accessed healthcare.Study design, size, durationRetrospective audit was performed over two six-month periods – July to December 2019 and March to August 2020. Two groups of data were collected; women who contacted the ED with concerns related to early pregnancy (under thirteen weeks gestation) and those who attended the ED with the same complaints. Information was cross referenced to see how many women c ontacted the ED prior to arrival and what, if any advice was given.Participants/materials, setting, methodsAll women under thirteen weeks gestation with a complaint of bleeding per vaginum (PV) or pain relat...
Source: Human Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Source Type: research