TOP TAKE-AWAY: Finding Growth After Pregnancy Loss
Pregnancy loss can be one of the most devastating experiences someone goes through. It can evoke feelings such as intense despair, a sense of emptiness, and feelings of self-blame, failure, as well as the "what-ifs," when the “what could’ve been” hopes and dreams unexpectedly disappear. For numerous individuals, it can also alter their sense of identity as a parent and cause them to lose their sense of self as well. This can quickly develop into a deep emotional void, which may impact daily functioning, intrapersonal relationships, and social interactions. While pregnancy loss has been traditionally viewed mainly through the perspective of grief and trauma, research shows that recovery and even personal growth can come to light from such loss.
In this study, Krosch and Shakespeare-Finch (2016) studied how women who experienced pregnancy loss through miscarriage or stillbirth, process their emotions, reveal new meanings, and “come to light” with their loss. Three hundred twenty-eight women were surveyed on how they viewed grief, stress, and how their beliefs changed after experiencing pregnancy loss. It was found that, despite how grief and emotional distress were extensive and real, many women also uncovered something in them called Posttraumatic growth (PTG). What is PTG? PTG is a positive psychological change that can occur in some individuals after experiencing a life crisis or traumatic event.
Posttraumatic growth is not something that transpires by chance or luck, as it is influenced by personality, social support, and behavioral factors. For example, reflective thinking, open-mindedness, hopefulness, and selflessness, as well as reframing one’s life story, can help shift grief into an insightful experience and help one to attain a stronger sense of self. Social support from family, friends, and other close relationships, along with access to counseling or mental health resources, provides significant support. Behavioral influences, such as reading about trauma, sharing experiences, and helping others, can contribute to the blossoming of a renewed sense of meaning, purpose, and internal resilience.
PTG is not erasing your grief; it reshapes one's thought process into a way that allows one to process emotions, discover new strengths, and grow more hope and appreciation for life after loss. Overall, the women in the study reported growth in various areas of their lives, with the greatest PTG reported in appreciation of life and personal strength. This increases connections to others who have shared similar experiences and builds resilience within.
The study revealed that many women experienced growth when they took the time to reflect on and reevaluate their core values and beliefs. These values were often challenged by personal loss, such as experiencing pregnancy loss, but many women rebuilt them and found a renewed sense of purpose and direction in their lives.
Overall, these findings remind us that pregnancy loss should be recognized not only as a source of grief but also as an opportunity to grow and heal personally. Support should be redirected to helping women process their emotions while also encouraging self-reflection, making sense of the event, and relearning genuine self-love. As every individual’s experience is unique, positive change is possible.
Krosch, D. J., & Shakespeare-Finch, J. (2016). Grief, traumatic stress, and posttraumatic growth in women who have experienced pregnancy loss. Psychological Trauma: Theory, Research, Practice, and Policy, 9(4), 425–433. https://doi.org/10.1037/tra0000183
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