Women’s Voices in the Wake of Perinatal Loss

“Perinatal Loss” refers to the experience of parents who lose a pregnancy for a variety of reasons including miscarriages (IUFD) or stillborn.

The loss of a fetus delivers a serious blow to the parents’ identity and their close relationship which has no parallel, and results in a grueling narcissistic injury. The loss causes deep thoughts of anguish, confusion, guilt and loneliness.

There is limited knowledge of their experience in the community and support from the medical-psychological is minimal. Research has led to the conclusion that there is an expectation for the parents to put aside their mourning in favor of life and communal considerations.

We, as professionals, are expected to prepare for and create methods of intervention that will assist the couple to deal with the tragic event so that they can deal with the loss and prevent the disruption of stability for the individual and the family. Intervention must take place in order to enable the venting of feelings while legitimizing challenging and common problems. Space must be provided for the associated feelings, and there must be an opportunity for public support and adaption of more efficient ways of dealing with the situation.

As therapists we must better connect to women giving birth who are suffering in a variety of crisis situations. We must assist them in finding an anchor within themselves and provide direction for self-help mechanisms along with a range of support systems.

“The power of a group as a therapeutic and supportive tool results from the fact that the group is a microcosm that enables the individual belonging to it, to work in protective conditions and in situations where he finds it difficult to deal with publicly in his community. Great importance is given in the group for personal space