Browsing by Author "Corbet-Owen, Carina"
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- ItemThe meaning of pregnancy loss : implications for health professionals(Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 1999-12) Corbet-Owen, Carina; Kruger, Lou-Marie; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Dept. of Psychology.ENGLISH SUMMARY: In a qualitative study, eight participants were selected to represent the range of circumstances faced by women who have experienced pregnancy loss(es). Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted, transcribed and then analyzed, using grounded theory. These women seemed to fall into two main categories: those who wanted to be pregnant, and those who did not. Those who felt positive about their pregnancy, had seemingly attributed positive meanings to being pregnant and were overjoyed: then felt devastated when their pregnancy ended. However, those who were negative about being pregnant, had apparently attributed negative meanings to their pregnancy and were anxious: hen felt ambivalent relief when their pregnancy ended. It therefore seems that feelings about their pregnancy loss(es) were determined by the meaning the pregnancy held for them in the first place and that this in turn, determined their needs at the time of their loss. Signifcantly, it was found, that regardless of whether they felt devastated or relieved by their loss, their immediate needs from doctors were surprisingly similar, whereas their longer terms needs differed and in many instances, could only be catered for by an appropriate referral. Guidelines are offered for medical personnel in helping these women 'recover' psychologically in both the immediate and longer term with the core guidelines being a need for clinicians to listen to AND hear their patients and validate their experience.