The news of a pregnancy is generally conceived as something very positive and wonderful; It is usually a reason for celebration and for congratulating the future parents and the rest of the family.
Normally, this is a very happy stage, full of hope and joy. But… How do parents experience a new pregnancy when they have had a previous perinatal loss?
Psychological management of pregnancy after experiencing a spontaneous abortion
Although it is a taboo subject, abortions are a reality; In fact, they are quite frequent, although sharing it is not so common.** Many families go through this experience in silence**, since the pain they cause is not socially recognized.
This experience makes parents connect much more clearly with the possibility that the pregnancy could go wrong. It is true that in all pregnancies there is this fear of loss occurring, but When you have experienced it firsthand, you are more aware of this “silenced” reality. and the alarm is raised that it could happen again.
Therefore, differences could be described when facing a new pregnancy between people who have experienced a previous loss or not, in three areas.
emotional level
On an emotional level, pregnancy can be experienced in a much more stressful way. Fear settles in as an unpleasant companion throughout the entire stage.
An emotional ambivalence is experienced between the joy of waiting for the baby and the hope that everything will go well, the guilt for the previous pregnancy loss, the incessant search for an explanation for it, and the anxiety in case it happens again.
In many cases this causes parents to implement self-protection strategies., such as waiting longer to share the news with those around you; and they even take longer to bond with the baby. Of course, this is not something chosen, but rather it works as a defense mechanism against possible damage.
Cognitive level
On a cognitive level, a state of hypervigilance appears. As we have said, fear intensifies greatly and there is a much higher tendency to search for and negatively interpret signs that indicate the baby’s condition.
This can also affect a woman’s security and confidence in her role as a mother and increase insecurities about whether she is or will do well.
Behavioral level
At a behavioral level, more control behaviors are carried out with the aim of achieving a greater sense of security. For example, medical visits increase, the mother may limit her routine in order to prevent a new loss from occurring, and when purchasing what is necessary for the baby’s arrival, she is also more cautious and usually does so as close as possible. at the end of pregnancy.
Tips to be able to live a new pregnancy in an enjoyable and healthy way
