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Cited by 42Grief, Bereavement, and Mental HealthMaternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumGlobal Maternal and Child Health

Men's lived experiences of perinatal loss: A review of the literature

Nguyen, Van, Temple‐Smith, Meredith, Bilardi, Jade·2019·Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
DOI 10.1111/ajo.13041
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Abstract

Background: Perinatal loss is often considered an emotionally and physically traumatic event for expectant parents. While there is strong evidence of its impact on women, limited research has independently explored men's lived experiences. Aim: This scoping review will examine current literature on the lived experiences of men whose partner has experienced a still‐birth or miscarriage. Material and Methods: The scoping review identified relevant articles by systematically searching through four electronic databases utilising a PRISMA search strategy. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied to articles. The articles’ reference lists were further scrutinised until no further articles that met the criteria were located. Fifteen articles were located including 14 qualitative studies and one non‐peer reviewed academic article. Articles were thematically analysed. Results: The review identified three major themes that are particularly pertinent to shaping the lived experiences of men whose partner has suffered a perinatal loss: (1) pregnancy attachment and the aftermath; (2) supporting their partner and being supported; and (3) impacts upon future pregnancies. Conclusion: Perinatal loss can have negative implications for men's psychological and social well‐being. Across the studies men had different levels of attachments to the pregnancy, influencing their emotional responses to the loss. Men perceived their primary role as being a supporter to their partners but received limited support themselves. Men often reported that their safe and trusting attitudes toward pregnancy had forever changed. Further areas of research are recommended in hopes of enhancing support for men, and consequently their partners and families, who experience perinatal loss.

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Crossref · 10.1111/ajo.13041

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  • Recently, three reviews were published in areas relating to men's experiences of pregnancy/neonatal loss; two were scoping reviews rather than systematic, and the other thematically synthesised only qualitative studies on men's lived experiences of miscarriage.

    “Recently, three reviews were published in areas relating to men’s experiences of pregnancy/neonatal loss. However, two of these were scoping reviews rather than systematic [48, 49], and the other thematically synthesised only qualitative studies on men’s lived experiences of miscarriage [50].”

    From Men’s grief following pregnancy loss and neonatal loss: a systematic review and emerging theoretical model (2020) · cites this paper as [48]

  • Following perinatal loss, mothers are at risk of physical and emotional trauma, and fathers experience their own emotional trauma, which may be compounded by witnessing mothers' responses.

    “Following perinatal loss, there is a risk of physical and emotional trauma for mothers; fathers experience their own emotional trauma, which may be compounded by witnessing mothers’ responses.7,8”

    From Bereavement care guidelines used in health care facilities immediately following perinatal loss: a scoping review (2024) · cites this paper as [7]

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Authors
Nguyen, V., Temple‐Smith, M., & Bilardi, J.
Affiliations
  • The University of Melbourne (AU)
  • Department of General Practice The University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
Corresponding author
Nguyen, Van
ORCID
Venue
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2019-08-15
Volume
59
Issue
6
Pages
757-766
ISSN
  • 0004-8666 (ISSN-L)
  • 1479-828X
DOI
10.1111/ajo.13041
OpenAlex
W2968571712
Cited by
41
References
26
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 11 · 2023: 1 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 4
FWCI
5.55
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Minerva Access (University of Melbourne) (submittedVersion)
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 › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Global Maternal and Child Health
Keywords
perinatal loss, stillbirth, miscarriage, men's lived experience, paternal grief, partner support, psychological well-being, paternal support
MeSH terms
Abortion, Spontaneous, Emotions, Fathers, Female, Humans, Male, Stillbirth

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