Our worst nightmare : the couples’ lived experiences of miscarriage

Abstract

Background: Miscarriage is recognised as one of the most common complications of pregnancy and is associated with stigma, isolation, loss of dreams, hopes and identity of parenthood, for the couple. However, there is a dearth of literature, both local and international, on the lived experiences of the couple who have undergone a miscarriage. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the primigravida couples’ lived experiences of early miscarriage. The objectives of this study were to gain insight on the impact of miscarriage on the couples; to identify their support systems, needs and concerns; and to explore the coping strategies adopted. Design: A qualitative phenomenological study using the principles of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Setting: The study took place in the local general state hospital. Participants: Five primagravida heterosexual adult couples who had experienced a first and early stage miscarriage. The females were at an advanced maternal age. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants for this study using semistructured interviews which were audio recorded. The data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Three super-ordinate themes emerged that highlight the couples’ lived experiences of miscarriage. These were: A Worst Nightmare; The Aftermath of the Storm; Striving to Ride the Waves. Conclusion: The lived experience of miscarriage had a profound physical and emotional impact on the couples describing it as their ‘worst nightmare’ while also commenting on struggling with an identity as parents, which has now been lost. Couples also commented on how the miscarriage setting, hospital environment and the management of care provided by healthcare professionals shaped their experience when dealing with loss. They also expressed the support or lack thereof that they received after their loss from significant others, family, friends, colleagues, health care professionals, online support groups and society. Couples further recalled utilising different coping strategies in an effort to acknowledge their loss and initiate the healing process. Furthermore, they felt insecure about the possibility of future pregnancies and the difficulties that they might encounter to achieve a successful pregnancy. All participants, especially females, highlighted that their desire of parenthood was a race against time due to their advancing maternal age and the implications on their biological clock.