Navigating Pregnancy After Miscarriage

osts Hilary Erickson, RN, and PhD student Kathleen Gunter dive deep into the emotional and mental health challenges that follow a miscarriage. Kathleen shares insights from her research on how women experience subsequent pregnancies after a loss, highlighting key themes such as emotional distress, fearful anticipation, and ambivalence. We explore the importance of social support and how healthcare providers can better assist during these difficult times. Join us as we untangle the complexities of miscarriage and motherhood.

Big thanks to our sponsor The Online Prenatal Class for Couples -- if you're looking to navigate pregnancy with more confidence, it is the course for you.

Today's guest is Kathleen Gunter -- a Nursing Instructor and PhD student whose research focus is on maternal mental health following miscarriage. After experiencing a miscarriage with her first pregnancy, Kathleen developed a passion for helping other moms feel less alone as they navigate the emotional journey that follows losing a baby.

Links for you:

Episode 227: Beyond the Rainbow: Pregnancy After Stillbirth with Winter Redd from Still a Part of Us Podcast

Timestamps:

00:00 Study on experiences of mothers after miscarriage. 05:57 Fear of causing harm during second pregnancy. 08:52 Women experienced ambivalence and emotional detachment in pregnancy. 10:17 Navigating loss and finding joy amid uncertainty. 13:31 "Social support crucial for healing after pregnancy loss." 18:18 Supportive women can help during difficult times. 19:47 Stay tuned for more on Pulling Curls.

Keypoints:

• Introduction to episode 240 of The Pulling Curls Podcast, focusing on miscarriage and motherhood.
• Hilary Erickson, RN, introduces herself and the podcast's aim to simplify pregnancy and parenting.
• Today's guest, Kathleen Gunter, a PhD student researching mental health after miscarriage, is introduced.
• Discussion on Kathleen's study of mothers pregnant again after a previous loss, which included interviews with 7 women.
• Identification of three major themes from the study: emotional distress, fearful anticipation, and ambivalence.
• Insights into the anxiety, worry, and hypervigilance women experience in subsequent pregnancies after a miscarriage.
• The tendency of women to reach certain pregnancy milestones and the emotional significance of these benchmarks.
• The impact of social support on mental health after miscarriage, emphasizing support from individuals with similar experiences.
• The importance of healthcare provider support post-miscarriage and the current lack of adequate follow-up care.
• Encouragement for women to openly discuss their experiences to find solidarity and support, both personally and within the healthcare system.

Producer: Drew Erickson

Keywords:

miscarriage, motherhood, pregnancy, mental health, anxiety, depression, post traumatic stress, emotional growth, first pregnancy, subsequent pregnancy, pregnancy loss, pregnancy milestones, ultrasounds, support groups, healthcare providers, social support, partners, healing, mental health support, physical health, quality of life, stillbirth, infant loss, hormones, postpartum experience, research study, PhD student, nursing science, emotional distress, pregnant again, miscarriage experience