Cited by 236Grief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Psychological aspects of perinatal loss

Badenhorst, William, Hughes, Patricia·2007·Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Abstract

After perinatal loss, parents experience painful grief. Fathers and mothers show the same pattern of symptoms, but generally mothers' distress is more intense. Grief should be sympathetically acknowledged by health professionals, and parents should be reassured that their feelings are normal and that recovery may take many months. Intense depression lasting more than 6 months may require psychological treatment. There is some evidence that delaying conception for a year may allow an easier pregnancy psychologically. The common practice of encouraging parents to have contact with a dead infant is not evidence-based and may have adverse effects, including inducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. A protocol of postnatal follow-up allows parents to get appropriate information about the loss, including possible problems and timing of another pregnancy. The subsequent pregnancy is stressful, and health professionals should recognize that parents may suffer significant anxiety.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2006.11.004

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Authors
Badenhorst, W., & Hughes, P.
Affiliations
St George's, University of London (GB)
Corresponding author
Hughes, Patricia
Venue
Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2007-04
Volume
21
Issue
2
Pages
249-259
ISSN
1521-6934 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2066936694
Cited by
236
References
79
Citations by year
2026: 2 · 2025: 10 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 11 · 2021: 6 · 2020: 16 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 66 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 15 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 6
FWCI
0.65
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Best Practice & Research Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
Keywords
perinatal loss, stillbirth, neonatal death, grief, maternal distress, paternal grief, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, postpartum follow-up, subsequent pregnancy, anxiety, psychological recovery
MeSH terms
Female, Grief, Humans, Pregnancy, Stillbirth

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