Social work intervention for women experiencing early pregnancy loss in the emergency department

"Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone": A situation-specific nursing theory

PURPOSE

The aim of this paper is to develop a preliminary theory that explores in depth into understanding the experiences of women who have suffered a spontaneous perinatal loss during any trimester of their pregnancy regarding their emotional response to this loss.

DESIGN

A grounded theory approach was used, and 25 in-depth interviews were conducted with Spanish women who suffered a spontaneous perinatal loss.

METHODS

Theoretical sampling and constant comparative analysis were used to reach theoretical saturation. EQUATOR guidelines were followed, using the COREQ checklist.

RESULTS

The "Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone," a situation-specific nursing theory, explains the process that a woman experiences when she loses her baby at any stage of pregnancy, drawing an analogy with tropical cyclones as natural disasters that destroy everything in their path. This situation-specific theory includes three dimensions, explaining the phases identified in the perinatal loss process (phase prior to impact [before the perinatal loss], impact phase [diagnostic moment], emergency phase [hospital care], relief or honeymoon phase [return home], disillusionment or stock-taking phase [after the first postloss days at home], reconstruction and recovery phase [grief construction process] and consequences [with an eye to the future]). Three intervention areas were described around the perinatal loss process: "rescue area" (partner, grandparents, and siblings of the deceased baby), "relief area" (healthcare professionals), and "base camp" (society).

CONCLUSION

The situation-specific nursing theory "Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone" is the final product of a grounded theory study that provided an in-depth analysis of women's experiences when they suffer a spontaneous perinatal loss at any point in their pregnancy.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The situation-specific theory "Perinatal loss, a devastating cyclone" with the seven identified phases and the three areas of intervention could be used as a framework for healthcare professionals in their clinical practice as a guide to support women in this disfranchised grief.

"The Dark Farewell to the Light of Life": A Qualitative Study About Prenatal Loss

AIM

This study was conducted to determine the experiences of women who encountered loss in the prenatal period.

METHOD

This study was a qualitative study conducted using the phenomenological method and was conducted according to the guidelines of the COREQ checklist. A total of 11 women who were experienced loss in the early prenatal period were interviewed. The data were analyzed using the content analysis.

RESULTS

Three main themes and eight sub-themes emerged. The themes were light of life (bubble of happiness, journey), dark farewell (silent scream inside, unfinished tale: motherhood, loneliness, family approach) and obscurity (uncertainty about the future, need for support). Women expressed that the loss process had negative effects on their mental health and that they needed help.

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy illuminates women's lives, while prenatal loss involves intense and various negative emotions, and women need support in many ways. These results show that women who experienced loss in the prenatal period should be allowed to express their feelings, thoughts and experiences, and the risks in terms of mental health should be reduced by supporting them during the loss and mourning process.