Influence of farewell rituals and psychological vulnerability on grief following perinatal loss in monochorionic twin pregnancy

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to analyze whether the absence of farewell rituals and previous psychological vulnerability are associated with the intensity of grief following perinatal loss in monochorionic twin pregnancy.

Method: The sample comprised 28 women who experienced perinatal loss following fetal surgery. Sociodemographic and clinical data and information about farewell rituals were collected through interview. The women also completed a questionnaire about perinatal grief.

Results: A history of psychological and/or psychopharmacological treatment was associated with more intense grief following perinatal loss.

Conclusion: Women with a history of psychological difficulties are particularly vulnerable to a complicated grief reaction after experiencing perinatal loss. However, the intensity of grief did not differ significantly according to whether or not the women performed some kind of farewell ritual. Further studies are needed to investigate these relationships and to encourage and facilitate the development of specific interventions for this population.

Keywords:

• Grief
• monochorionic twins
• perinatal loss
• psychosocial care
• rituals

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all the women who shared with us their suffering and experiences concerning their twins, some of whom continue to grow, while others remain only in their mother’s heart.