National clinical guidelines for miscarriage, recurrent miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy have been published for the first time in Australia.
In a move to ensure women and pregnant people receive consistent, evidence-based, and compassionate care, the new guidelines respond to long-standing concerns about the fragmented and, at times, insensitive treatment of early pregnancy loss.
Each year, approximately one in four pregnancies ends in this manner. Yet until now, the care offered has varied widely depending on location, practitioner, and even personal attitudes.
Developed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG), the guidelines recommend a standardised, respectful approach to early pregnancy loss up to 14 weeks’ gestation.
The new document includes clear protocols for diagnosis, emotional support, and follow-up care. Importantly, they call for clinicians to acknowledge the emotional weight of miscarriage and use appropriate, sensitive language when communicating with patients.
A key update is the revised definition of recurrent miscarriage: now recognised as two or more losses, not necessarily consecutive.
Previously, people were required to experience three consecutive miscarriages before further investigation, something advocates have long argued delays necessary care and support.
The guidelines also provide detailed recommendations for the management of ectopic pregnancy, including when to offer medication versus surgical treatment, and how to assess patient stability.
Sally Stevenson, Executive Director of the Illawarra Women’s Health Centre, welcomed the guidelines.
“For too long, women experiencing miscarriage have faced inconsistent and at times distressing ‘care’.
“While these new clinical guidelines are not legislated, they represent a national benchmark for how early pregnancy loss should be managed with consistency, evidence, and compassion. This is a vital step forward for women’s healthcare in Australia.
“We welcome this long-overdue change and will work to ensure that women in the Illawarra receive the respectful, compassionate and evidence-based care they deserve.”
The Illawarra Women’s Health Centre’s Nurse Practitioner is available for anyone seeking advice about planning for pregnancy or concerns related to early pregnancy loss.
