The Silenced voices. The experience of women in gestational and neonatal grief

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Abstract

The present study aimed to understand the experience of mourning of women who went through gestational or neonatal loss, to be able to offer guidance subsidies for care interventions and public policies. A qualitative and exploratory research was carried out, with the participation of 40 participants, in Brazil, who responded to a script of semi-structured interviews. The data were analyzed using IRaMuTeQ software (word cloud and descending hierarchical classification) and understood through content analysis. The results were organized into four thematic classes: 1) “Risks, Exams and Pregnancy Beyond Expectation”, presenting the complications in pregnancy and/or risk delivery that culminated in the loss of the baby; 2) “Hospital Memories: Life, Struggle and Farewell”, signaling the hospital experiences and the importance of professional support and network; 3) “From Dream to Longing”, exposing the pain of loss, the feeling of loneliness and the role of faith in coping; and 4) “Challenges of Bereavement”, reflecting on the process and supports to deal with pain. It is concluded that the experience of mourning for the loss of a baby is unique and the breaking of silence, with better professional support and collaboration of a support network can help the bereaved.

Keywords:

gestational grief , neonatal grief , motherhood , hospital psychology

References

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