The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
The Experience of Miscarriage in First Pregnancy: The Women’s Voices
Authors:
Gerber-Epstein, Paula
Leichtentritt, Ronit
Benyamini, Yael
Source:
Death Studies: 2009, 33(1), pp. 1-29.
Summary
This article summarizes the results of a qualitative study designed to provide insights into the experiences of women who have had a miscarriage in their first pregnancy. Nineteen Israeli women were interviewed about the miscarriage experience of their first pregnancy. Five central themes emerged from the interviews. The first theme was that women who experienced greater joy as a result of the pregnancy also experienced more intense pain following the loss. The second theme was that miscarriage resulted in long-term emotional pain as well as deep concerns about fertility and femininity. The third theme was the importance of a social support network, and the difficulties associated with an unsupportive network. The fourth theme was that returning to everyday life after the loss was very difficult for the women, and that the difficulty was exacerbated by the indifference of society. The fifth theme consisted of the recommendations that study participants wished to communicate to other women experiencing miscarriage: choose an empathic doctor, process the trauma, and obtain counseling to help in coping.
Key Words: pregnancy, mother, women, miscarriage, support, trauma
Service Provider Implications
This article highlights the need for acknowledgement of the trauma experienced by women who have had a miscarriage. The authors recommend that service providers offer women who have experienced miscarriage informational support, concrete support, and emotional support.
