The parental experience of pregnancy after perinatal loss.
OBJECTIVE
To review the research literature on the parental experience of pregnancy, primarily maternal, subsequent to perinatal loss.


METHODS
Computerized searches on CINAHL and PubMed databases.


METHODS
Articles from indexed journals relevant to the objective were reviewed from January 1997 to December 2007. Only research-based studies in English were included.


METHODS
The review was performed using the methodology of Whittemore and Knafl (2005). Data were extracted and organized under headings: author/year/setting; purpose; sample; design/instruments; results; and nursing implications for parents during a pregnancy following a perinatal loss.


RESULTS
Depression and anxiety are frequently seen in pregnant women subsequent to a perinatal loss. The parental experience is filled with intense and conflicting emotions as parents balance being hopeful while worrying about another potential loss.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important for health care providers to evaluate the woman's obstetric history, acknowledge and validate previous perinatal loss, and discuss with her what would be helpful during the prenatal period with respect to the previous perinatal loss.
DeBackere
Katrina J
KJ
Illini Hospital, Silvis, IL, USA.
Hill
Pamela D
PD
Kavanaugh
Karen L
KL
D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000523:psychology*; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D016389:Maternal-Child Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008487:Medical History Taking; D016294:Models, Nursing; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017584:Reproductive History; D012107:Research Design