[Long-term psychological sequelae of spontaneous abortion: do medical management, recent pregnancy and delivery really help in coping with grief?].
86 patients with spontaneous abortion were interviewed and followed up in a longitudinal study with an interview and standardised questionnaires shortly after the D&C at 7, 13 and 24 months later. Our results indicate profound and long-term adverse psychological sequelae. For most of the patients, a spontaneous abortion was considered to be of major importance. Without regard to the gestational age or ultrasonographic image, the embryo is represented early in fantasies and dreams as a child. The severity of grief reactions following abortion did not correlate well with gestational age or a new pregnancy. Mourning is still present 24 months after the abortion. While grief decreases continuously during the first 7 months following abortion, despair remains constant and self-reproachful coping shows even a statistically significant increase between months 13 and 24. The reason is, because 20% of patients develop a pathological grief reaction with an increase in depression, self-reproachful coping and physical complaints. This risk group of patients, who needs closer and more detailed observation and guidance, may be recognised as early as at the time of abortion.
Deckardt
R
R
Frauenklinik und Poliklinik, Technischen Universität, Klinikum rechts der Isar, München.
Beutel
M
M
Schaudig
K
K
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006117:Grief; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010552:Personality Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support
Psychische Langzeitfolgen nach Spontanabort: Helfen medizinische Betreuung, neuerliche Schwangerschaft und Entbindung wirklich bei der Trauerverarbeitung?