Patients' Experiences With Pregnancy of Unknown Location: A Qualitative Study

Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a common early pregnancy diagnosis, yet patient experiences are not well understood. This study explored emotions and experiences of individuals diagnosed with PUL. Participants aged 18-45 completed semi-structured interviews, and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Amongst 30 participants, a diverse range of pregnancy types and intentions were represented. We grouped the data into four findings 1) Participants experienced anxiety and negative emotions related to diagnostic uncertainty 2) Effective coping strategies included social support, resilience, and acceptance. 3) Positive experiences were linked to empathetic, responsive providers. 4) Limited access to outpatient care led many to seek emergency care, often characterized by long waits and lack of privacy. In conclusion, patients with PUL experienced considerable anxiety and negative emotions which persisted across different pregnancy intentions and outcomes. Many considered this to be a major life event. Experiences were improved by personal coping skills and having caring providers. Due to lack of urgent outpatient appointments, many patients sought care in the emergency department which was sometimes associated with worse experiences overall.