Staff Experiences in an Early Pregnancy Unit: Factors Impacting their Work and Quality of Care

Early pregnancy units (EPU) function to manage complications of early pregnancy and are staffed by midwives, sonographers and doctors. Research has shown working in an EPU may result in stress and burnout because of caring for women and their partners experiencing pregnancy loss. This study examined work-related demands and job satisfaction of staff in two different EPU models.

All EPU staff in a tertiary maternity hospital were invited to complete an online mixed-methods survey. Data were collected in August-September 2023 while the EPU was onsite at the maternity hospital and in January-May 2024 once the EPU moved offsite. The survey was modelled on previous EPU staff experience research and used validated scales (job satisfaction, organisational and social isolation, and emotional demands).

Fifteen surveys were completed from the onsite EPU and 25 from the offsite EPU representing approximately 90% of all EPU staff. Participants considered the offsite EPU better in design, atmosphere, resources for service users and staff, parking and other facilities. Staff reported a higher job satisfaction score (M=7.72; range 4-14), lower levels of organisational isolation score (M=18.86: range 3-25) and lower level of emotional demand score (M=8.40; range 3-12) for the offsite EPU group. For both the onsite and offsite EPU, staff reported that the main factors contributing to workplace stress were individual workload (13, 46%), organisation of the EPU (12, 42.9%) and lack of accessibility to counselling/support staff (7, 25%).

Feedback at the offsite EPU was positive, reflecting improved working conditions and provision of care. While job satisfaction was strong, interventions for staff to manage stress and emotional demands of their work are needed to ensure wellbeing and health.