Perinatal Loss

Perinatal loss includes loss due to infertility, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, termination, stillbirths, and neonatal death. Perinatal loss can be a complex and distressing experience and can come with feelings of depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and shame. Experiencing perinatal loss can affect one’s view of parenthood, sense of self, and family dynamics. For some, it can affect daily activities, such as eating and sleeping patterns. Perinatal grief and loss is a deeply personal experience that is unique to each person.

Key facts

  • In Canada, approximately 15.7% of couples face issues with fertility.

  • It is estimated that 15% to 25% of pregnancies in Canada end in a miscarriage. This estimate is higher for women who have previously lost a pregnancy and for women over 45.

  • Approximately 1-2% of pregnancies are ectopic pregnancies.

  • It is estimated that 1 in 10 women experience symptoms of a diagnosable disorder after a reproductive loss.

    • Additionally, it is estimated that 20% of women continue to experience symptoms of depression one year after loss.

  • Men and women experience grief after perinatal loss at similar rates. However, partners may process and manage grief in different ways, which can cause relationship conflict. Couples therapy can help with navigating these challenges.

Experiencing perinatal loss can feel isolating. Therapy can provide a supportive space for individuals, couples, or families to express their emotions, find ways to cope with their grief and complex feelings, and help address the unique challenges that can come with perinatal loss, including grief over the loss of parenthood status, feelings of failure or shame, and relationship conflict.

Next steps

To learn about how we can support you or to book a free phone consultation, please call or us at 780-860-7338 or fill out our contact form.

References

Morin, F., Chalmers, B., Ciofani, L., deMontigny, F., Gower, S., Hanvey, L., La Fontaine, M., Menard, L., Thorp, L., van Manen, M. (2020). Chapter 7: Loss and grief. Public Health Agency of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/publications/healthy-living/maternity-newborn-care-guidelines-chapter-7.html#a1

Shaohua, L., & Shorey, S. (2021). Psychosocial interventions on psychological outcomes of parents with perinatal loss: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 117. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2021.103871

Weir, K. (2018, May). Healing the wounds of pregnancy loss. American Psychological Association. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/05/pregnancy-loss