What are the perceived psychological effects of miscarriage on parents from professionals’ perspectives?

Abstract

The aim of this research study is to explore the psychological effects of miscarriage on both parents from the perspective of professionals. Four professionals were interviewed through semi-structured interviews. The method of analysis - Thematic Analysis - was used to analyse the data collected from the interviews. Four themes were identified: Society, the effects of miscarriage on the individual, the couple’s reaction and loss. The results show that there were not any qualitative differences between the mother and the father and that this minimised loss impacts various aspects of both the individual and the couples’ lives such as parental identity, the impact on the spouse relationship and fear and apprehension for subsequent pregnancies.