Citation

Gaudet C, Séjourné N, Camborieux L, Rogers RY, Chabrol H. J. Reprod. Infant Psychol. 2010; 28(3): 240.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/02646830903487342

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the psychological experience of pregnancy after a previous perinatal loss and to bring to light the risk factors of psychological distress and disorders in instituting antenatal attachment with the subsequent child. Methods: 96 pregnant women, having experienced a previous perinatal loss answered several questionnaires which measured the feelings of perinatal grief (PGS), anxio-depressive symptomatology (HADS), acceptance of pregnancy, identification with the maternal role (PSEQ) and perinatal attachment (MAAS). The control group included 74 women with no experience of perinatal loss. Results: Women having suffered from perinatal loss reported significantly higher scores of grief and anxio-depressive symptoms compared to the control group. These variables were significant predictors of prenatal attachment. Conclusion: Findings reveal the intense psychological distress during pregnancy following a perinatal loss and underscore the need for psychosocial and clinical care when there is a perinatal loss, care that should be extended up to the birth of the subsequent child.

Keywords: perinatal grief; subsequent pregnancy; anxiety attachment; depression