Exploring the Impact of Perinatal Loss on a Mental, Emotional and Social Level. A Qualitative Study Focusing on the Management of Perinatal Grief

Introduction: The present research focuses very sensitively on the particularly complex issue of perinatal loss, attempting to investigate and record the women's experiences related to it, the thoughts and feelings at the given time, the degree and quality of the support that was provided by the environment of those involved and the effect of the psycho-emotional and social imprint over time. Methods: A total of nine women aged between 42 and 73 years participated in the research. The research method chosen to be used was qualitative research and a semi-structured interview guide was used to collect data with eleven appropriately worded questions that covered the purpose of the research project. Results: Most participants reported that pregnancies were an unintended outcome. Specifically, six participants reported that the pregnancy was accidental, and the remaining three that they tried to achieve them. Perinatal loss is an unexpected, unspeakable, and uncontrollable event where the incomprehensible synchronicity of life and death seems to be circumvented. Discussion: The necessity for the creation of new protocols in the hospital/obstetric setting regarding perinatal loss and the importance of having a supportive scheme that will be addressed to women who have experienced perinatal bereavement during the healing and care stage constitute an urgent need, so that the latter can able to make sense of their loss and manage it, receiving support on a long-term basis. Conclusion: As for Health Professionals, the emerging importance of attending educational programs for the formation of counseling skills for the benefit of all those who are grieving is approached.