“Being seen, heard, witnessed and acknowledged”: a reflexive thematic analysis of peer support following termination for medical reasons among women in Great Britain

Termination for medical reasons (TFMR) is associated with profound distress, grief and emotional trauma, as well as stigma and isolation. While peer support has been reported to reduce isolation and validate emotions in broader contexts, the distinct ethical and emotional complexities surrounding TFMR mean these findings cannot be assumed to transfer directly. TFMR‑specific evidence is therefore needed. To explore women’s perspectives on peer support following termination for medical reasons (TFMR) in order to make policy and practice recommendations to improve support. This study was a reflexive thematic analysis, conducted using qualitative data from 6 facilitated online focus groups with 28 women in total, aged 18 or older who had experienced TFMR in Great Britain within the past 10 years. Five key themes were developed: 1) Blindsided and isolated with a silenced grief; 2) They just “get it” - the unique value of TFMR-specific peer support; 3) Navigating the abyss: support that hinges on luck; 4) Shared journey, differing and evolving support needs; and 5) The other edge of the sword: when others’ stories are heavy. TFMR is a profoundly distressing experience, and women’s accounts highlight significant gaps in the availability and consistency of support. Peer support represents a potentially effective and low‑cost intervention, but access is currently dependent on chance rather than a clear pathway. Strengthening collaboration between statutory and voluntary sectors could enable the development of varied, TFMR‑specific peer support options that reflect the differing needs of those affected. Further research is needed to understand how peer support is experienced across diverse groups and how it can be tailored to ensure equitable, sensitive, and sustainable provision. Ending a pregnancy because a baby has a serious health condition or because the mother’s health is at risk is very distressing and can leave women feeling alone. This experience is known as termination for medical reasons (TFMR). Women who experience TFMR often feel shocked and find it hard to talk about their grief because of stigma or lack of understanding from others. Peer support (talking to others who have been through TFMR) might be a helpful way to get support from others who truly understand. This study explored women’s experiences of peer support following TFMR. We held six online focus groups with women living in Great Britain who had experienced TFMR in the last 10 years. Five themes were developed based on their discussions: 1) women felt shocked by the unexpected situation where they had to consider terminating their pregnancy and isolated with grief that they could not openly share with family and friends; 2) they felt peer support for TFMR was important because only others with the same experience truly “got it”; 3) the support women got, and how easy it was to find, depended on where they lived and how helpful their bereavement midwife was; 4) how and when women wanted peer support changed over time; 5) hearing other women’s stories could sometimes be difficult. TFMR is very distressing, and access to support across the country varies. Peer support offers a powerful, relatively inexpensive way to help, but clearer routes to getting peer support following TFMR are needed. More research is needed to show how peer support is experienced by different groups and how it can be made accessible to everyone.