PREGNANCY FOLLOWING MISCARRIAGE - COURSE OF GRIEF AND SOME DETERMINING FACTORS

This prospective study aimed to investigate the impact of both (the sp eediness of) a subsequent pregnancy and the birth of a viable child on grief arising from a previous pregnancy loss. Data were collected fro m a series of written questionnaires. Of the 2140 pregnant women who p articipated in the study, 227 lost a baby by miscarriage (85%) or peri natal death (15%). In 221 women, the loss concerned a singleton. At ea ch of four post-loss assessments, these women completed the Perinatal Grief Scale. They also indicated whether they had conceived again and, if they had related how they felt about that. Data were analyzed by m eans of hierarchical multiple regression. Both conceiving again and th e birth of a living child lessened grief. A speedy new pregnancy was o nly rarely found to be detrimental. It is suggested that parents, at l east following miscarriage,,lo longer be advised to wait a specific ti me before conceiving again. Preferably their individual situation shou ld be discussed with them in order to help them make their own informe d derision concerning the subsequent pregnancy.