Pain, Suffering and Grief after Second Trimester Miscarriage: Comparison between Miscarriage (IUFD) and Aborted (TOP- Termination of Pregnancy) Pregnant Women

Background: Frequently Second trimester abortion needs to be preformed. Although in some cases the women know about the abortion in advance, the feelings of anxiety, stress, pain, and feelings of loss and grief are still very strong. It might be assumed that women, choosing to abort their fetus would have difference in severity of negative feelings regarding this event.

Aim: Compare the differences of physical symptoms, emotional feelings, and grief between women undergoing second trimester miscarriages and abortions Method: Prospective convenience sample self completing questionnaire distribution investigating level of physical, emotional symptoms, and grief after the loss of their fetus.

Results: A strong positive correlation (0.437) between emotional symptoms and anxiety regarding the process, a moderately strong relationship was found between emotional symptoms and loss of pregnancy (0.249). There is significant differences in symptoms severity between women after miscarriage and abortion.

Conclusion and Recommendation: Nurses must be aware and take into consideration the different approaches that must be taken between the two populations of women. Examples include- different pain protocols, pre-intervention education and guidance, and nurse at presence pre-intervention site. In practice there is vital importance that women be prepared and provided with optimal care in order to reduce their severe physical and emotional symptoms and feelings of loss.