Experiences of Perinatal Loss: A Focused Ethnographic Study of Ghanaian Women

Abstract

There is evidence indicating that grief experiences and support available to women who experience perinatal loss has not been well investigated in Ghana. In particular the emotional and psychological impact of the loss, the ability of women and their family members to flexibly mourn their lost child, and the cultural influence on mourning is less researched. Using focused ethnographic method, the current study explored Ghanaian women experiences of perinatal loss to gain an in depth understanding of the multiple intersecting of cultural influence on this phenomenon. The unique stories of twenty women who had experienced perinatal loss in a tertiary institution in the capital city of Ghana were used to conduct the research. Findings provided insight into the profound emotional experiences of mothers whose loss brought immense pain. It also indicated that the grief experience of perinatal loss is often underestimated by most people in Ghana including health professionals, and many of the women who go through this loss, experience challenges in grieving the deceased child. Conversations with participants uncovered many themes which improved the understanding of the meaning of losing a child in Ghanaian cultural context. The recommendations on practice, education, policies and research directions set forth by this study will inform decisions of concerned authorities, the public and other health professionals to support and intervene to provide care that is culturally sensitive and unique to individual parents who have lost children through perinatal loss.