Miscarriage and wellbeing: performative rituals for visualizing loss

BACKGROUND: Whilst arts-based approaches are used across healthcare, an arts and health approach to miscarriage is unique in the context of mainstream emotional care provision. This pilot study was set up to explore whether performative rituals could be used as a strategy to support women and health professionals in the aftermath of miscarriage to fill an existing gap in provision. METHODS: A diverse sample of 12 women who had experienced one or recurrent miscarriages were selected from 100 women recruited via our project partners, Miscarriage Association and HOPE Support Services. A participatory workshop utilizing arts-based approaches was delivered, and a blog of 19 artists' work was presented. Interviews with 9 of the women and focus groups with 6 health professionals were undertaken to discuss the different ways that experiences of loss can be visualized and acknowledged and to understand the potential benefits of these artistic strategies of care. RESULTS: Health professionals recognized an urgent need for more holistic trauma-informed care and the value of a resource that acknowledged miscarriage. Thematic analysis revealed four key themes: the value of non-judgmental support and connectedness; creatively feeling how one wants to feel; the need for support for marginalized experiences and that acknowledging miscarriage helps women's mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Performative ritualized interventions offer potential by helping women to validate, acknowledge and move forward from miscarriage whilst also supporting existing NHS service provision in line with women's narratives of need.