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Pregnancy after loss

Trying to conceive: An interpretive phenomenological analysis of couples’ experiences of pregnancy after stillbirth

The experiences of trying to conceive after stillbirth impacted the couple relationships. Couples who were able to discuss their feelings with one another appeared more cohesive than those who experienced communication challenges in the aftermath of loss.

Authors

Margaret Murphy, Keelin O'Donoghue

Year
2021
Journal Name
Women and Birth
Category
Journal Article
Keywords
Experience, Pregnancy after loss, Stillbirth
Project

Pregnancy after stillbirth

Full Citation

Murphy M, Savage E, O'Donoghue K, Leary JO, Leahy-Warren P. Trying to conceive: An interpretive phenomenological analysis of couples' experiences of pregnancy after stillbirth. Women and Birth. 2021;34(5):e475-e481. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.016.

Link to Publication
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.10.016

Abstract

Stillbirth affects 1 in 200 pregnancies in high income countries. Most women are pregnant again within 12 months. Little is known about how couples negotiate a subsequent pregnancy. This study explored the experiences of couples’ in pregnancy after stillbirth. We conducted interviews with eight heterosexual couples in the immediate pregnancy after stillbirth. ‘Hoping for a born alive baby’ and ‘Trying to conceive’ were two of the overarching themes. Couples jointly negotiated their decision to get pregnant again, varying upon their individual circumstances, including their experiences of stillbirth. Gender differences were apparent in a couple’s agreement to pursue a pregnancy after stillbirth and may be explained by the desire of men to fully parent the baby who died before reaching a decision about a subsequent pregnancy. Sexual intercourse often became less about emotional connection and more about a means to achieve a pregnancy. Couples spoke of the need for each partner to be in agreement with the decision for a pregnancy. The experiences of trying to conceive after stillbirth impacted the couple relationships. Couples who were able to discuss their feelings with one another appeared more cohesive than those who experienced communication challenges in the aftermath of loss.

Pregnancy Loss Research Group

Pregnancy Loss Research Group, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University College Cork, Fifth Floor, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Wilton, Cork, T12 YE02, Ireland,

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