Parenting while grieving: the impact of baby loss
| Date | 17 December 2018 |
| Pages | 168-175 |
| Published date | 17 December 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0042 |
| Author | Hedy Cleaver,Wendy Rose,Elizabeth Young,Rebecca Veitch |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
Parenting while grieving: the impact
of baby loss
Hedy Cleaver, Wendy Rose, Elizabeth Young and Rebecca Veitch
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to explore the impact of pregnancy or baby loss on families, and their
ability to access suitable support. Miscarriage and stillbirth are not rare events and losing a baby can have an
overwhelming and long-term impact on parents and on existing and subsequent children.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper provides an overview of current relevant research, policy
and practice.
Findings –Much research and service provision focuses on pregnancy or baby loss for parents without
living children. This is predicated on the widely held assumption that existing children provide a protective
factor mitigating the loss and going on to have another child is the best antidote to grief. Research does not
substantiate this but highlights the difficulties parents experience when coping with pregnancy or baby loss
alongside the needs of looking after existing children.
Originality/value –The identification of a “hidden”group of parents and children whose mental health and
wellbeing is at risk without the provision of services. A tailored approach to the needs of the family is called for,
including greater collaboration between statutory and third sector organisations.
Keywords Mental health, Bespoke responses, Grieving parents, Perinatal death, Pregnancy or baby loss
Paper type Viewpoint
Introduction
The impact on parents of the death of a child is profound and with consequences that may last a
lifetime.The effect of losing a pregnancy or babydepends on a number of variablesincluding: how
the loss is perceived, the social support available, gender identity of the parent, whether parents
are in a stable relationship or parenting alone, mother’s mental health prior to the loss and their
culture and religion (Cacciatore, 2010; Burden et al., 2016). When parents have an existing child
they may struggleto meet the child’s needs while coping withtheir own grief. This paper explores
the impact of pregnancyor baby loss through a review of literature, together with findings from an
unpublished 2015 voluntary survey by Home-Start, a UK-wide voluntary organisation supporting
familieswith young children. The survey revealedover 65 per cent of responding localHome-Starts
were supporting families who had experienced miscarriage or perinatal mortality, the impact of
which was often unrecognised at the point of referral. This suggests a hidden group of families
whose mental health and wellbeing may be at risk without the provision of services. The findings
reinforce previous studies, which call for improvements in bereavement services in relation to
pregnancy or baby loss, specifically for those who grieve alongside parenting.
The paper is set within the context of growing recognition of the impact of pregnancy and baby
loss. Baby Loss Awareness Week 2017 and a UK Government debate called for greater
resources to support those affected (House of Commons Hansard, 2017).
Pregnancy or baby loss
Pregnancy or baby loss refers to both early and late miscarriage, stillbirth and neonatal death.
Sadly, this is a relatively common occurrence. In the UK between 10 and 20 per cent of
Received 16 September 2018
Accepted 27 September 2018
Hedy Cleaver is based at Royal
Holloway University of London,
Egham, UK.
Wendy Rose is based at Cardiff
University, Cardiff, UK.
Elizabeth Young and
Rebecca Veitch are both based
at Home-Start, Leicester, UK.
PAGE168
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JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH
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VOL. 17 NO. 4 2018, pp. 168-175, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729 DOI 10.1108/JPMH-07-2018-0042
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