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One foot in–one foot out: Weathering the storm of pregnancy after perinatal loss
Author(s) -
Arsenault Denise Côté,
Marshall Robin
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
research in nursing and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 85
eISSN - 1098-240X
pISSN - 0160-6891
DOI - 10.1002/1098-240x(200012)23:6<473::aid-nur6>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - pregnancy , foot (prosody) , anxiety , focus group , qualitative research , psychology , medicine , developmental psychology , obstetrics , psychiatry , sociology , social science , philosophy , linguistics , genetics , anthropology , biology
Pregnancies after perinatal loss are oftentimes anxiety‐laden and lacking in joy. This may lead to potential negative obstetrical and parenting outcomes. The purpose of this qualitative inquiry was to gain insights into women's pregnancy after perinatal loss experiences, including major features and helpful provider responses. Thirteen women, at varying points surrounding pregnancy after perinatal loss, participated in either a focus group or interview. An overall metaphor of “ One Foot In—One Foot Out ” and seven themes within four contexts emerged from the data. Women found themselves living within the contexts of (a) reliving the past, (b) trying to find a balance in the present, (c) recognizing their changed reality, and (d) living with wavering expectations. Seven themes characterized their navigation of the pregnancy: (1) setting the stage, (2) weathering the storm, (3) gauging where I am, (4) honoring each baby, (5) expecting the worst, (6) supporting me where I am, and (7) realizing how I've changed. Trying to stay balanced is the major challenge in pregnancy after perinatal loss. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 23:473–485, 2000.