Peer-reviewed article
Anxiety Experiences and Support Needs of Women in Early Pregnancy Following Perinatal Loss: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study.
Lei H, Zhang Y, Xiao J, Li Z, Yang Y et al. ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explores anxiety experiences in women who are pregnant again after suffering a pregnancy loss. Researchers interviewed 16 women in China and found that anxiety in early pregnancy following perinatal loss is complex and fluctuating, shaped by memories of previous loss and uncertainty. The study recommends that healthcare providers offer individualized psychological support and continuity of care to help these women feel safer during their subsequent pregnancy.
Key points
- Women in early pregnancy following perinatal loss experience persistent anxiety shaped by traumatic memory and uncertainty
- Heightened vigilance and anxiety intrude into daily life during the subsequent pregnancy
- Women use reassurance-seeking and boundary control as coping strategies to maintain balance
- Women expect continuous, individualized understanding and support from healthcare providers
- Early pregnancy care should include risk communication, early psychological support, and continuity of care
Limitations
This qualitative study focuses on women's psychological experiences and support needs rather than child health outcomes or interventions to improve child well-being. The findings relate to maternal mental health in pregnancy but do not address impacts on children's survival, development, protection, or participation.
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to explore the anxiety experiences, coping strategies, and support needs of women in early pregnancy following perinatal loss, in order to inform individualized psychological support and continuity of care strategies. Methods A descriptive phenomenological study was conducted using purposive sampling. Sixteen women in early pregnancy following perinatal loss were recruited from Guangdong Women and Children Hospital between December 2025 and April 2026. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step phenomenological method, supported by NVivo 15.0 software. Results Four themes were identified: the continued presence of previous loss experiences in the current pregnancy; heightened vigilance under uncertainty and its intrusion into daily life; maintaining a fragile balance through reassurance-seeking and boundary control; and expectations for continuous understanding and support during the subsequent pregnancy. These findings indicate that anxiety in early pregnancy following perinatal loss is a persistent and fluctuating process shaped by traumatic memory, uncertainty, active attempts to regain control, and the need for continuous individualized care. Conclusion Women in early pregnancy following perinatal loss may experience anxiety as a complex, persistent, and fluctuating process. Early pregnancy care should include individualized risk communication, timely recognition of anxiety, early psychological support, and continuity of care. These strategies may help women strengthen their sense of safety and control and support adaptation during a subsequent pregnancy.