Examining Factors Influencing the Processing of Perinatal Loss

OBJECTIVES: In our study, we investigated the factors influencing perinatal loss. We explored the duration of bereavement, influencing factors, pregnancy planning, duration of pregnancy, time since loss, the evolution of loss, nature of intervention, support received and impact on the bereavement process.

METHODS: We studied parents who experienced perinatal loss. We used non-random, purposive, expert sampling to investigate couples who had experienced perinatal loss. Those with incomplete questionnaire submission were excluded (N=134). Data were processed using Microsoft Excel and IBM SPSS 23.0 software. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation, relative frequency, median, mode) and mathematical statistics (χ²test, ANOVA, linear regression, correlation analysis) were performed at 95% probability level (p<0.05).

RESULTS: The relationship examined was the experience of perinatal loss as a function of age of the affected person with a mean age of 34.98 years, and we found a correlation only for active bereavement (p=0.02). The mean score obtained was 31.55 points. There was no relationship between coping difficulty (p=0.06) and despair (p=0.15). The mean score of both groups was above 40. The mean time since perinatal loss was 102.85 weeks, showing a relationship between active bereavement (p=0.01) and coping (p=0.047), but not for despair (p=0.11). The gestational age the time of loss, with a mean of 17.95 weeks, showed significance for active grief (p<0.01), coping (p=0.01) and despair (p<0.01). The role of education was confirmed by examining the stages of grief (grief n=51, bereavement n=58, bereavement disorder n= 13) (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: From the results of our study, we conclude that appropriate communication is an influential factor. Additionally, there is an association between the number of weeks of pregnancy and degree of loss, as well as between time since pregnancy and degree of loss.