PPC1 - Miscarriages

Maureen Sharkey from Scottish Care and Information on Miscarriage told the Public Petitions Committee that women who suffered one miscarriage should be offered testing to ascertain the cause, on 27 November 2012.

At the moment in Scotland testing is only offered after a third consecutive miscarriage.

Ms Sharkey also said there was no uniformity of provision for women suffering a miscarriage across the country.

She was giving evidence, alongside her colleague Elizabeth Corrigan, on her petition entitled 'Investigating the causes of miscarriage' .

Ms Sharkey also wants a review of NHS Scotland's policy on the investigation and treatment of couples who experience miscarriage.

She said some women who currently do not qualify for testing after a miscarriage are left with "feelings of complete failure" and question and search themselves for a reason.

The counsellor said the "physical and emotional effects of this policy" on women could include feeling like a failure, depression, isolation, relationship failure and even suicide.