Perinatal loss and maternal attitudes toward the subsequent child

Theut, Susan K.; Moss, Howard A.; Zaslow, Martha; Rabinovich, Beth A.; Levin, Lara; Bartko, John J.

doi:10.1002/1097-0355(199223)13:2<157::aid-imhj2280130206>3.0.co;2-q

Cited by 29 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(2 reference statements)

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“…In one study, mothers of 16-month-old children born subsequent to perinatal loss reported that they were more concerned about the child’s health, and more concerned with the psychological separation between mother and child as the child developed [17]. However, in another study, Price [20] reported that mothers with a history of perinatal loss did not perceive their 9 month old child as more difficult to raise than other children.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of miscarriage history on maternal-infant bonding during the first year postpartum in the First Baby Study: a longitudinal cohort study

et al. 2014

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BackgroundMiscarriage, the unexpected loss of pregnancy before 20 weeks gestation, may have a negative effect on a mother’s perception of herself as a capable woman and on her emotional health when she is pregnant again subsequent to the miscarriage. As such, a mother with a history of miscarriage may be at greater risk for difficulties navigating the process of becoming a mother and achieving positive maternal-infant bonding with an infant born subsequent to the loss. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of miscarriage history on maternal-infant bonding after the birth of a healthy infant to test the hypothesis that women with a history of miscarriage have decreased maternal-infant bonding compared to women without a history of miscarriage.MethodsWe completed secondary analysis of the First Baby Study, a longitudinal cohort study, to examine the effect of a history of miscarriage on maternal-infant bonding at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after women experienced the birth of their first live-born baby. In a sample of 2798 women living in Pennsylvania, USA, we tested our hypothesis using linear regression analysis of Shortened Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (S-PBQ) scores, followed by longitudinal analysis using a generalized estimating equations model with repeated measures.ResultsWe found that women with a history of miscarriage had similar S-PBQ scores as women without a history of miscarriage at each of the three postpartum time points. Likewise, longitudinal analysis revealed no difference in the pattern of maternal-infant bonding scores between women with and without a history of miscarriage.ConclusionsWomen in the First Baby Study with a history of miscarriage did not differ from women without a history of miscarriage in their reported level of bonding with their subsequently born infants. It is important for clinicians to recognize that even though some women may experience impaired bonding related to a history of miscarriage, the majority of women form a healthy bond with their infant despite this history.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effect of miscarriage history on maternal-infant bonding during the first year postpartum in the First Baby Study: a longitudinal cohort study

et al. 2014

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“…The MAQ contains three subscales: concerns about the child's health, concern about differentiation from the child, and investment in the child. A previous Cronbach's a of .78 demonstrates good internal consistency (Theut et al, 1992). The concurrent validity of the instrument is supported by correlations with another measure of maternal separation anxiety (Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale) developed by Hock, McBride, and Gnezda (1989).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The concurrent validity of the instrument is supported by correlations with another measure of maternal separation anxiety (Maternal Separation Anxiety Scale) developed by Hock, McBride, and Gnezda (1989). Derivation of items from interviews with mothers of infants and toddlers who had experienced a prior perinatal loss and those with no history of loss as well as factor analysis supports the instrument's construct validity (Theut et al, 1992).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Healthcare Utilization in the Pregnancy Following a Perinatal Loss

Hutti

Armstrong

Myers

2011

McN: The American Journal of Maternal/Child Nursing

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Mothers with a history of prior perinatal loss may attempt to cope with their anxiety in pregnancy and depression in early postpartum with requests for additional healthcare resources. Nurses need to listen with compassion, providing appropriate education and information, and make referrals to mental healthcare providers and support groups as indicated. These nursing interventions during the subsequent pregnancy may be a better use of healthcare resources than providing extra, but medically unnecessary, laboratory and ultrasound testing for the sole purpose of fleeting reassurance.

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“…Prior pregnancy loss may also negatively impact subsequent pregnancy experiences, parenting, and child outcomes due to fear of another loss, anxiety during pregnancy and hypervigilance of living children (Blackmore et al, 2011; Côté-Arsenault, 2007; O'Leary and Warland, 2012; Theut et al, 1992). …”

Section: Pregnancy Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Have no regrets:” Parents' experiences and developmental tasks in pregnancy with a lethal fetal diagnosis

Côté‐Arsenault

Denney-Koelsch

2016

Social Science & Medicine

110

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Significance Lethal fetal diagnoses are made in 2% of all pregnancies. The pregnancy experience is certainly changed for the parents who choose to continue the pregnancy with a known fetal diagnosis but little is known about how the psychological and developmental processes are altered. Methods This longitudinal phenomenological study of 16 mothers and 14 fathers/partners sought to learn the experiences and developmental needs of parents who continue their pregnancy despite the lethal diagnosis. The study was guided by Merleau-Ponty's philosophic view of embodiment. Interviews (N = 90) were conducted with mothers and fathers over time, from mid-pregnancy until 2–3 months post birth. Data analysis was iterative, through a minimum of two cycles of coding, theme identification, within- and cross-case analysis, and the writing of results. Results Despite individual differences, parents were quite consistent in sharing that their overall goal was to “Have no regrets” when all was said and done. Five stages of pregnancy were identified: Pre-diagnosis, Learning Diagnosis, Living with Diagnosis, Birth & Death, and Post Death. Developmental tasks of pregnancy that emerged were 1) Navigating Relationships, 2) Comprehending Implication of the Condition, 3) Revising Goals of Pregnancy, 4) Making the Most of Time with Baby, 5) Preparing for Birth and Inevitable Death, 6) Advocating for Baby with Integrity, and 7) Adjusting to Life in Absence of Baby. Prognostic certainty was found to be highly influential in parents' progression through developmental tasks. Conclusion The framework of parents' pregnancy experiences with lethal fetal diagnosis that emerged can serve as a useful guide for providers who care for families, especially in perinatal palliative care. Providing patient-centered care that is matched to the stage and developmental tasks of these families may lead to improved care and greater parent satisfaction.

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Perinatal loss and maternal attitudes toward the subsequent child

Cited by 29 publications

References 13 publications

Effect of miscarriage history on maternal-infant bonding during the first year postpartum in the First Baby Study: a longitudinal cohort study

Effect of miscarriage history on maternal-infant bonding during the first year postpartum in the First Baby Study: a longitudinal cohort study

Healthcare Utilization in the Pregnancy Following a Perinatal Loss

“Have no regrets:” Parents' experiences and developmental tasks in pregnancy with a lethal fetal diagnosis

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