To Örebro University

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate how women who have experienced one or more miscarriages manage their feelings when they become pregnant again.

Method: Individual qualitative interviews were conducted with 16 women who were pregnant again after experiencing one or more miscarriages. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results: The analysis of the material ended up in five categories: distancing herself from her pregnancy, focusing on her pregnancy symptoms, searching for confirming information, asking for ultrasound examination and asking for professional and social support. Because of their past experience with miscarriage, it could be painful to have another pregnancy terminate in disappointment. Therefore, the women manage their feelings by distancing themselves from their pregnancies. Simultaneously, they are managing their emotions by seeking affirmation that their current pregnancy is normal.

Conclusion: Generally speaking, women manage their emotions by themselves. They feel isolated with their worries and concerns, and they are in need of the support provided from their intimate circle of friends and family as well as from the staff of the maternity health care ward. Unfortunately, the women do not feel that they get the support they need from the staff, instead they have to rely on their friends, family and partners to help them manage their emotions.