“So as Not to Feel Alone”: Motivations and Barriers for Pregnancy Loss Support Among Displaced Syrian Refugee Families Living in Lebanon

More than 15% of refugee families will experience pregnancy loss. Feelings of stigma, shame, and guilt may be common after experiencing such a loss. The presence or absence of supports may help to exacerbate or ameliorate these feelings. The research used a qualitative approach to explore experiences of pregnancy loss among Syrian refugee families who were displaced in Lebanon. The foundation of the research was 15 collaborative family interviews with mother-father dyads followed by one-on-one interviews with mothers and fathers and two peer group discussions. The viewpoints and experiences of practitioners were elicited through three one-on-one interviews and four peer group discussions. By focusing on both formal and informal supports, the research suggests ways that practice and policy may be improved to better meet the needs of displaced families who have experienced pregnancy loss.