The impact of miscarriage and stillbirth on maternal-fetal relationships: an integrative review.

CONCLUSIONS: Studies show that perinatal loss can cause psychological distress in subsequent pregnancy. It is not clear whether and how such distress impacts on maternal-fetal relationships because studies have yielded mixed findings. Mothers employ a complex self-protective mechanism to cope with this distress, and use strategies to reassure themselves and to maintain hope that the pregnancy will result in a live birth. It is not clear whether the use of this mechanism impacts upon the development of the mother-fetus relationship in subsequent pregnancy. Further research is now required to determine how these strategies are employed, the impact of these strategies on pregnancy-specific anxiety, maternal-fetal relationships and the postnatal attachment relationship. Health professionals working with parents in these circumstances should acknowledge that anxiety and associated coping behaviours are common, and support be provided when parents show signs of considerable psychological distress. PMID: 29517293 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Tags: J Reprod Infant Psychol Source Type: research