Cent Eur J Nurs Midw 2013, 4(4):643-656

Experiencing pregnancy after perinatal loss

Pavla Kaspárková^*, Radka Bužgová

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ostrava, Ostrava

Aim: The aim of this research was to determine the subjective experience of women in pregnancy after perinatal loss, identify their needs and ways of coping with the stress during an ongoing pregnancy.

Methods: The study was carried out using a qualitative method. The data collection method used was a semi-structured interview. Six pregnant women in the third trimester after perinatal loss in previous pregnancies participated in the research. Some procedures of grounded theory (open and axial coding and creating categories) were used for data analysis.

Results: Based on the data analysis categories and subcategories were defined: 1. The experience of perinatal loss, 2. Experiencing new pregnancy, 3. Feelings, 4. Coping, 5. Needs. Analyzing the interviews revealed that pregnancy after perinatal loss is a period of higher emotional stress, when women have specific needs and use different ways of coping with stress.

Conclusion: Pregnant women after perinatal loss require a specific approach of care providers. The continuity of the care is important, starting from the period after perinatal loss, continuing in the preparation for pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period. Understanding the feelings of women may help in the effective provision of nursing care. Community midwives may be an appropriate support for this group of women and help them overcome the difficult period of pregnancy after perinatal loss.

Keywords: pregnancy, perinatal loss, experiencing, stress, midwife, support

Published: September 30, 2013  Show citation