Perinatal Grief and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder in Pregnancy after Perinatal Loss: A Longitudinal Study Protocol.

Eloisa Fernández-Ordoñez,María González-Cano-Caballero,Cristina Guerra-Marmolejo,Marina García-Gámez,Eloísa Fernández-Fernández

doi:10.3390/ijerph18062874

Abstract

Background: Pregnancies that follow perinatal loss are often associated with mental health disorders, which are not usually treated or even identified. Objectives: The main study aim is to identify the prevalence of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and complicated perinatal grief at different stages of pregnancy following a prior gestational loss. Methods: This descriptive longitudinal study will be conducted with a twelve-month follow-up. The study variables addressed will include sociodemographic data (age, sex, education, marital status, employment status and obstetric history) together with clinical data on complicated perinatal grief and post-traumatic stress disorder scores. Results: The results obtained are expected to provide a new perspective on the healthcare approach to perinatal loss and subsequent pregnancy. Conclusions: We seek to optimise comprehensive healthcare in cases of pregnancy following previous perinatal loss and to evaluate options to minimise possible risks.

Highlights

It is estimated that up to 25% of pregnancies end with perinatal loss, and that 50–80%
The question of perinatal loss has drawn increasing attention, the situation of persons experiencing another pregnancy after such a loss is rarely considered in clinical practice [14]
While various studies have addressed the impact on maternal mental health of foetal and neonatal death, very few have included the different types of gestational loss [15], including voluntary interruption [16]

Summary

Introduction

Perinatal loss can be defined as that which takes place at any time from the moment the pregnancy becomes known until the first month of the child’s life [1]. Perinatal grief is the parental experience that begins immediately after the loss of a foetus or baby through miscarriage, foetal death, neonatal loss or elective termination due to foetal abnormality [2]. Slyter and Klaus (1970) were the first to identify mothers’ reactions to the loss of their newborn and to explore the strength of the bond between the mother and her unborn baby [3]. The acknowledgement of perinatal grief has steadily increased since prompted by work such as the 1980 book Motherhood & Mourning: Perinatal Death by Peppers and Knapp [4]. Most parents feel hope, expectation and joy, looking towards the future and not imagining any unhappy outcome [5]

Objectives

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Discussion

Conclusion