The loss of a grandchild during pregnancy: an exploration of long-term outcomes for grandparents and their families

Abstract

ABSTRACT Inquiry focussing on grandparents’ experiences following a child’s pregnancy loss has concentrated on shorter-term grief and support outcomes. We aimed to understand longer-term wellbeing impacts exploring outcomes 10–20 years after the loss of a grandchild/ren during pregnancy. Our study addressed the questions: what are the longer-term outcomes for grandparents experiencing the loss of a grandchild in pregnancy?; what factors contribute to reduced grandparent/family coping or increased family distress?; what supports could be of benefit to grandparent wellbeing and family coping? We used thematic analysis to analyse interviews with 12 grandparents from Australia and the United States of America. Four themes resulted: The grief is ongoing, the support continues; Subsequent pregnancies: joyful anticipation has changed to anticipatory fear; Adjustment: Our lives, our family, and our wellbeing changed, and; Reflecting on these changes, how did our family cope? These findings confirm those of shorter-term studies but indicate that grandparents’ grief and the support they provide to their children are ongoing and, therefore, grandparents may require information and support for many years following loss. In addition, grandparent coping is influenced by parent coping. Therefore, interventions that focus on family adaptation to loss may also benefit families experiencing multiple losses or continued relationship disruption.