Assessment of family grief over the gestational and neonatal loss

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the degree of grief caused by gestational or neonatal loss in parents, associating with socio-demographic variables. Additionally, compare the degree of grief according to the moment of loss. Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted with the application of a sociodemographic questionnaire and a validated questionnaire (Perinatal Grief Scale-PGS) in parents who lost their child at any time during pregnancy or in the neonatal period. Results: 542 fathers and mothers were able to participate in the study and after invited to respond, 104 (19.1%) were willing to participate. The 104 respondents were divided into two groups: loss in the first gestational trimester (76.9%), and other trimesters added to the neonatal period (23.1%). There was a predominance of maternal responses (89.4%) and a mean age was 29.1±15.58 years. The median PGS score was 90 points, with no difference between the scores according to the moment of loss. First pregnant and women under the age of 25 had higher scores than the others (p=0.042 and p=0.047) respectively. Suicidal ideation was reported by 15.4% and 32.7% of mothers who blame themselves for the death of the baby have significantly higher scores than those without such feelings (p <0.0001). Marital status, education, economic status, religion, prenatal care, ethnicity, and previous miscarriage were not significantly associated with the scores obtained in the PGS. Conclusion: Family grief occurred regardless of the moment of loss, being greater in younger women and those with feelings of guilt. Measures must be taken to minimize such suffering.