'There was just no-one there to acknowledge that it happened to me as well': A qualitative study of male partner's experience of miscarriage.

Jade E Bilardi,Ellena J Miller,Meredith J Temple-Smith,Virginia Zweigenthal

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0217395

Jade E Bilardi, Ellena J Miller + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0217395

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Abstract

Miscarriage occurs in up to one in four pregnancies and can be a devastating event affecting both men and women. Unfortunately, the male partner’s experience of miscarriage is seldom researched, particularly within Australia. This qualitative study involved semi-structured telephone interviews with 10 Australian men, whose partners miscarried between three months and ten years ago. Participants were recruited through professional networks and support organisations. Interviews explored men’s general miscarriage experience and the support received or lacking from both healthcare providers and social networks. Online health seeking behaviour and opinions on online support were also discussed. Data was transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically. Most men described feeling significant grief following miscarriage and felt that there was little acknowledgment of their loss, both from healthcare providers and within their social networks. Feelings of sadness, devastation, powerlessness, fear, shock and a loss of identity were common. All men felt their primary role at the time of miscarriage was to support their partner. Most men did not want to burden their partner with their emotions or grief, and struggled to find people within their social networks to talk to about their loss, leading to feelings of isolation. Overall participants felt there was inadequate support offered to men affected by miscarriage. Men wanted information, informed professionals to talk to and male-orientated support networks. A website was one mechanism suggested by men which could adequately contribute to information and support needs during this time. Men are often greatly affected by miscarriage and yet there is all too often little acknowledgement or support available to them at this time. Men affected by miscarriage want and need further support, including reputable, Australian based information and resources tailored their needs.

Highlights

Miscarriage is a very common pregnancy complication affecting up to one in four pregnancies [1]
The aim of this study is to address the gap in Australian literature by exploring miscarriage from a male partner perspective and men’s needs for additional support
To address the gap in Australian literature, this study aimed to explore the male partner’s experience of miscarriage and their need for additional support at this time

Summary

Introduction

Miscarriage is a very common pregnancy complication affecting up to one in four pregnancies [1]. In Australia, miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks gestation, with pregnancy loss after 20 weeks termed a stillbirth [2]. Definitions of miscarriage differ between countries, guidelines and publications and may include gestations up to 24 weeks [3]. An increasing amount of research and support services have been developed for parents experiencing miscarriage; these have primarily focused on women. In a recent UK study, 25% of women were found to likely meet the criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) one month after miscarriage, 32% for anxiety, and 16% for depression [4]. Partners are often women’s central support figures with evidence to show that positive partner and social support plays a crucial role in buffering women’s grief and distress at the time of miscarriage [5,6,7,8,9]

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