Psychosocıal Care and Midwifery Approaches in Women Experiencing Pregnancy Loss
Chapter from the book:
Çuvadar,
A.
&
Arslan,
N.
(eds.)
2026.
Holistic Approaches in Women's Health.
Synopsis
Pregnancy loss is considered a significant and traumatic life event that affects not only women’s physical health but also their psychological, social, and emotional well-being. Early pregnancy losses, stillbirths, and neonatal losses may lead to intense grief reactions and contribute to the development of psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Women experiencing pregnancy loss may lose not only their baby but also their expectations regarding motherhood, hopes for the future, and confidence in their coping abilities. Therefore, post-loss care should not focus solely on physical recovery but should also address psychological, social, and emotional needs through a holistic approach.
Psychosocial care practices play an important role in helping women adapt to the grieving process. Emotional expression writing, memory-making activities, psychoeducation, and supportive counseling approaches have been reported to reduce emotional burden, strengthen coping skills, and positively affect psychological well-being. Midwives and nurses have important responsibilities in the care of women experiencing pregnancy loss, particularly in establishing empathetic communication, supporting the grieving process, and maintaining family-centered care. In this context, the widespread implementation of trauma-informed and evidence-based care practices is of great importance for supporting women’s well-being after pregnancy loss and improving the quality of care.
