A time/space bubble: Expectant parents’ experience of birth after termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly in a midwifery-led, obstetric unit for prenatal loss

Termination of pregnancy due to a fetal anomaly is a challenging and mentally stressful experience, associated with trauma-related stress, depression and symptoms of complicated grief. It differs from other types of pregnancy loss because of the role of active decision-making. Expectant parents depend on caring and experienced staff to guide them during a time full of ambiguity and contrasting emotions.

This study examines how expectant parents experience the process of birth with termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly at a specialised unit for prenatal loss.

Data was generated from semi-structured interviews with 11 women and 9 male partners, one to five months after termination of pregnancy.

Three themes were identified 1) Suspended time/space bubble; the unit for prenatal loss was described as a time-space bubble, that promoted a sense of meaning, a feeling of togetherness and an awareness of parallel worlds, 2) The midwife matters; participants emphasised midwives’ 'invisible', chronological and individualised practice, making it possible to be present and in the process, and 3) Meeting and spending time with the fetus/baby; participants’ responses and relation to the fetus were very different, with most of them embracing the fetus as a baby, grateful for the opportunity to have time together.

The findings from this study suggest a need for specialised midwives dedicated to prenatal loss, in units designed as private and protected spaces to accommodate the requirements of parents undergoing termination of pregnancy due to fetal anomaly.