Pregnancy Loss in Rural Ireland: An Experience of Disenfranchised Grief

Mulvihill, Aileen; Walsh, Trish

doi:10.1093/bjsw/bct078

Cited by 30 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Pregnancy loss is often sudden and unexpected. The grief that parents experience after early pregnancy loss is often “disenfranchised” [63]; it is often not openly acknowledged or socially supported. Perinatal loss is associated with guilt or self-blame, and women may feel that their bodies have failed.…”

Section: Perinatal Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility and Perinatal Loss: When the Bough Breaks

Bhat

Byatt

2016

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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Infertility and perinatal loss are common, and associated with lower quality of life, marital discord, complicated grief, major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Young women, who lack social supports, have experienced recurrent pregnancy loss or a history of trauma and / or preexisting psychiatric illness are at a higher risk of experiencing psychiatric illnesses or symptoms after a perinatal loss or during infertility. It is especially important to detect, assess, and treat depression, anxiety, or other psychiatric symptoms because infertility or perinatal loss may be caused or perpetuated by such symptoms. Screening, psychoeducation, provision of resources and referrals, and an opportunity to discuss their loss and plan for future pregnancies can facilitate addressing mental health concerns that arise. Women at risk of or who are currently experiencing psychiatric symptoms should receive a comprehensive treatment plan that includes the following: (1) proactive clinical monitoring, (2) evidence-based approaches to psychotherapy, and (3) discussion of risks, benefits, and alternatives of medication treatment during preconception and pregnancy.

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Section: Perinatal Lossmentioning

confidence: 99%

Infertility and Perinatal Loss: When the Bough Breaks

Bhat

Byatt

2016

Curr Psychiatry Rep

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“…Although grief is a common experience, individuals respond in different ways to their losses because of religious beliefs, spiritual and cultural uniqueness of persons, and the ways by which grief is socially acknowledged (Shaw 2014;Allahdadian and Irajpour 2015). Grief reactions may include psychological, physical, social or emotional reaction to the loss (Mulvihill and Walsh 2013;Murphy 2013;Shaw 2014). Mothers and fathers grieve when they experience a perinatal loss but mothers tend to experience more intense grief than the fathers because of the physical and psychological relationship of mother to the baby in utero (Murphy 2013;Mulvihill and Walsh 2013;Shaw 2014;Carolan and Wright 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grief reactions may include psychological, physical, social or emotional reaction to the loss (Mulvihill and Walsh 2013;Murphy 2013;Shaw 2014). Mothers and fathers grieve when they experience a perinatal loss but mothers tend to experience more intense grief than the fathers because of the physical and psychological relationship of mother to the baby in utero (Murphy 2013;Mulvihill and Walsh 2013;Shaw 2014;Carolan and Wright 2017). In a qualitative study carried out in Ireland by (Mulvihill and Walsh 2013), it was found that women's husbands/partners appeared to get over the loss a lot quicker than the women.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Experiences of Utilizing Religious and Spiritual Beliefs as Coping Resources After Miscarriage

Kalu

2019

Religions

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Religious and spiritual beliefs enable some bereaved women to cope better with the devastating effects of the loss of a baby through miscarriage. The aim of this study is to explore the experiences of women’s utilization of religious and spiritual beliefs as coping resources after miscarriage. Heideggerian interpretive phenomenological approach guided the study. Data were collected using audio-recorded, semi-structured interviews with 10 women and analyzed thematically using the method developed by van Manen. Data analysis revealed three themes: (a) feelings of grief (b) finding meaning in loss and the purpose of life and (c) religious and spiritual beliefs as coping resources. Religious and spiritual beliefs play a major role in the lives of many individuals, and act as coping resources for many women who have experienced a miscarriage. Bereavement care providers’ understanding of religious and spiritual values of women who have experienced a miscarriage is crucial to meeting their spiritual care needs.

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“…Lok and Neugebauer (2007) reported that "studies show that early pregnancy loss can produce a grief reaction as substantial as that to loss of any loved one" (p. 231). However, the ambiguity of miscarriage contributes to disenfranchised grief as the lack of societal recognition and support does not correspond to the intensity of the emotional response to the physical and emotional loss (Lang et al, 2011;Mulvihill & Walsh, 2014;Rowlands & Lee, 2010). Women often have difficulty moving through the bereavement process and engaging in typical coping behaviors after a miscarriage (Broquet, 1999;Lang et al, 2011;Mulvihill & Walsh, 2014).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the ambiguity of miscarriage contributes to disenfranchised grief as the lack of societal recognition and support does not correspond to the intensity of the emotional response to the physical and emotional loss (Lang et al, 2011;Mulvihill & Walsh, 2014;Rowlands & Lee, 2010). Women often have difficulty moving through the bereavement process and engaging in typical coping behaviors after a miscarriage (Broquet, 1999;Lang et al, 2011;Mulvihill & Walsh, 2014). Expectations of unconditional support by loved ones are often not met and negatively impact the grieving process (Rowlands & Lee, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Journey Interrupted: A Phenomenological Exploration of Miscarriage

Watson¹,

Jewell²,

Smith³

2018

The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy

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Background: Miscarriage is a significant life event that impacts occupational performance, identity, and competence and that influences perceptions of motherhood. Because of the lack of social rituals often attributed to the death of a loved one, miscarriages may result in disenfranchised grief, which impedes coping. Methods: This phenomenological study explored the impact of miscarriage on relationships, perceptions of motherhood, and the meaning of occupation in the context of grief. Data was collected through semistructured interviews (N = 4) and completion of a brief demographic questionnaire. The interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim, and reviewed to ensure accuracy. Using inductive thematic analysis, the first author identified initial codes, collated the codes into preliminary themes, and then reviewed, further analyzed, and refined the themes. Results: Three overarching themes were identified: (a) the journey: ambiguity, vulnerability, and the trauma of a miscarriage; (b) seeking acknowledgement and validation of loss: impact on relationships; and (c) occupational engagement: evolving roles and perspectives. Conclusion: The findings of this study illustrated the complexity of the lived experience of miscarriage and highlighted the significant impact of miscarriage on self-identify, relationships, and the complex role of occupation in the context of bereavement.

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Pregnancy Loss in Rural Ireland: An Experience of Disenfranchised Grief

Cited by 30 publications

References 27 publications

Infertility and Perinatal Loss: When the Bough Breaks

Infertility and Perinatal Loss: When the Bough Breaks

Women’s Experiences of Utilizing Religious and Spiritual Beliefs as Coping Resources After Miscarriage

Journey Interrupted: A Phenomenological Exploration of Miscarriage

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