|
|||||
|
|
Emotional reactions in women in late pregnancy (24 weeks or longer) following the ultrasound diagnosis of a severe or lethal fetal malformation |
|
| Authors: | J A M Hunfeld J W Wladimiroff J Passchier M Uniken Venema-Van Uden P G Frets F Verhage |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;3. Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands;4. Department of Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands Department of Clinical Genetics, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Rotterdam, The Netherlands |
| Abstract: | We studied the emotional reactions of 41 women in late pregnancy shortly after they had been informed of the diagnosis of ‘severe or lethal fetal malformations’ and 3 months after delivery. In addition, situational variables were explored as determinants of grieving. While grief did not diminish during the study period, psychological instability was less pronounced at 3 months after delivery. More grief reactions were evoked by self-reported easily versus self-reported not easily initiated pregnancy, gestational age between 24 and 34 weeks versus beyond 34 weeks, multiparity versus primiparity, and viewing versus not viewing the baby. |
| Keywords: | Perinatal death Short and long-term emotional reactions Determinants of perinatal grief |