Abstract
Background: Miscarriage is a common event in Australia and is estimated to occur in up to one in four confirmed pregnancies. Prior research has demonstrated that miscarriage is associated with significant distress, grief and loss, and in some cases clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite these consequences for women's emotional and mental health, studies have commonly found that women feel that healthcare providers often lack empathy, support, and acknowledgement of their loss. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the psychological distress experienced by women as a result of miscarriage, as well as the perceived support provided by healthcare professionals. Methods: Fifteen women were recruited in Australia and participated in semi-structured interviews either in person or over the telephone. Findings: It was found that for most women, the levels of distress, grief, and loss associated with their miscarriages were significant. While women experienced both positive and negative interactions with healthcare providers throughout their miscarriage journeys, all women interviewed expressed their increased distress following negative experiences. Conclusion: A number of recommendations have been provided by women to improve the service of healthcare providers in the event of a miscarriage, including referral to a psychologist, and ongoing follow-up after their miscarriage, which women felt would assist them with managing their distress.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 137-146 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | Women and Birth |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2019 |
Keywords
- distress
- healthcare
- Miscarriage
- recommendations
- support
Cite this
}
“The loss was traumatic… some healthcare providers added to that” : Women's experiences of miscarriage. / Bellhouse, Clare; Temple-Smith, Meredith; Watson, Shaun; Bilardi, Jade.
In: Women and Birth, Vol. 32, No. 2, 01.04.2019, p. 137-146.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - “The loss was traumatic… some healthcare providers added to that”
T2 - Women's experiences of miscarriage
AU - Bellhouse, Clare
AU - Temple-Smith, Meredith
AU - Watson, Shaun
AU - Bilardi, Jade
PY - 2019/4/1
Y1 - 2019/4/1
N2 - Background: Miscarriage is a common event in Australia and is estimated to occur in up to one in four confirmed pregnancies. Prior research has demonstrated that miscarriage is associated with significant distress, grief and loss, and in some cases clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite these consequences for women's emotional and mental health, studies have commonly found that women feel that healthcare providers often lack empathy, support, and acknowledgement of their loss. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the psychological distress experienced by women as a result of miscarriage, as well as the perceived support provided by healthcare professionals. Methods: Fifteen women were recruited in Australia and participated in semi-structured interviews either in person or over the telephone. Findings: It was found that for most women, the levels of distress, grief, and loss associated with their miscarriages were significant. While women experienced both positive and negative interactions with healthcare providers throughout their miscarriage journeys, all women interviewed expressed their increased distress following negative experiences. Conclusion: A number of recommendations have been provided by women to improve the service of healthcare providers in the event of a miscarriage, including referral to a psychologist, and ongoing follow-up after their miscarriage, which women felt would assist them with managing their distress.
AB - Background: Miscarriage is a common event in Australia and is estimated to occur in up to one in four confirmed pregnancies. Prior research has demonstrated that miscarriage is associated with significant distress, grief and loss, and in some cases clinically significant levels of depression, anxiety, and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Despite these consequences for women's emotional and mental health, studies have commonly found that women feel that healthcare providers often lack empathy, support, and acknowledgement of their loss. Aim: The aim of this study is to explore the psychological distress experienced by women as a result of miscarriage, as well as the perceived support provided by healthcare professionals. Methods: Fifteen women were recruited in Australia and participated in semi-structured interviews either in person or over the telephone. Findings: It was found that for most women, the levels of distress, grief, and loss associated with their miscarriages were significant. While women experienced both positive and negative interactions with healthcare providers throughout their miscarriage journeys, all women interviewed expressed their increased distress following negative experiences. Conclusion: A number of recommendations have been provided by women to improve the service of healthcare providers in the event of a miscarriage, including referral to a psychologist, and ongoing follow-up after their miscarriage, which women felt would assist them with managing their distress.
KW - distress
KW - healthcare
KW - Miscarriage
KW - recommendations
KW - support
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85054546868&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.06.006
DO - 10.1016/j.wombi.2018.06.006
M3 - Article
VL - 32
SP - 137
EP - 146
JO - Women and Birth
JF - Women and Birth
SN - 1871-5192
IS - 2
ER -