Reproductive Losses and Grieving

Abstract

This article presents the findings from a qualitative research study exploring ten couples' experiences with reproductive loss, infertility, miscarriage, and stillbirth. Following the primary loss, that of a biological child, couples identified five categories of associated losses: the experience of pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding; parenting; control; relationships; and one's view of oneself as a fertile individual. Feelings of shock, unfairness, fear, anger, a sense of being different from others, and intense sadness characterized the grieving process. Six factors mediated the grieving process: multiple losses, existing relationships, one's perception of being the victim or "cause" of the loss, gender, recognition of the loss, and cultural factors. The quality of grieving did change over time, but the impact of reproductive loss never completely disappeared.