Summary
This paper provides advice for health professionals obtaining consent from women undergoing surgical management of miscarriage with electric or manual vacuum aspiration. It is also intended to be appropriate when surgical intervention is indicated for an incomplete termination of pregnancy, incomplete or delayed miscarriage, or partially retained placenta after delivery. After careful discussion with the woman, the consent form should be edited under the heading ‘Name of proposed procedure or course of treatment’ to accurately describe the exact procedure to be performed.
The paper follows the structure of Consent Form 1 from the Department of Health and Social Care, England/Welsh Assembly Government/Department of Health, Northern Ireland. It should be used in conjunction with the RCOG Clinical Governance Advice No. 6 Obtaining Valid Consent and Clinical Governance Advice No. 7 Presenting Information on Risk. Please also refer to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline 154 Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage: diagnosis and initial management.
The aim of this advice is to ensure that all women are given consistent and adequate information for consent. It is intended for use together with dedicated patient information. At discharge, women should be provided with clear direction to enable them to obtain help if there are unforeseen problems after discharge.
Please note
Although this document was produced before the Montgomery ruling, it remains appropriate for use as part of the process outlined on our main consent page. The form should be used to help record women’s understanding of the implications of the final agreed procedure.
COVID disclaimer
This Consent Advice was developed prior to the emergence of the COVID-19 coronavirus.
Version history
This is the second edition of this guidance.
Please note that the Patient Safety Committee regularly assesses the need to update. Further information on this review is available on request.
Developer declaration of interests
Available on request.