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PERINATAL LOSS AND THE PROCESS OF RECOVERY

Lucia Mazuchova, Simona Kelcikova, Lenka Zaludkova

Abstract

Introduction: There is a justified reason to be grieving in women diagnosed with perinatal loss. When the fact is not accepted, deep pain occurs and psychopathological symptomatology can be developed instead. The goal of the study was to find out the relationships between perinatal loss and psychopathological symptomatology development, and to identify the differences in maladaptive manifestations in women (experiencing miscarriage, giving birth to a death baby, experiencing death of a baby in early postpartum period). Next, the goal was to find out women’s experience of care provided by health professionals after perinatal loss. Methods: There were 108 respondents (average age 31,96±6,34 y.) with the diagnosis of perinatal loss participating in this study. The data were gathered by means of a questionnaire – the standardized measuring and assessment tools. The descriptive statistics was used to evaluate the results (percentage, x - arithmetic average, and answers variability – standard deviation). The comparison of particular groups from the point of view of pathological signs of bereavement was verified by Sheff’s post hoc-test and test ANOVA. Results: It was found out that there is a connection between perinatal loss and risk of developing psychopathological symptomatology. When comparing the women experiencing miscarriage with the women experiencing baby’s death in early postpartum period, statistically significant differences were shown. The research reveals that health professionals pay more attention to the somatic than psychological needs when providing health care. Conclusion: Modernization and development have impact on all spheres of life in our society, including health care. However, perinatal loss remains the up-to-date issue even in this era. The women diagnosed with perinatal loss and psychopathological symptomatology go through adaptation process, need special care and attention. The specific approach to these women provided by midwives is necessary in the adaptation process and support of healthy bereavement.

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DOI resolver: doi.org/10.5593/sgemsocial2014/B12/S2.082

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