Current Situation
Millions of families in the U.S. have experienced the heartbreak of reproductive loss. Some losses occur quite early in a pregnancy, and others are the result of stillbirth or unbearable decisions surrounding termination. While such losses are incredibly common, our health care system does little to acknowledge the grief that accompanies such loss and often fails to provide much-needed support and coping resources for patients and their families.
The Project
Our research explores a vital tool for supporting women grieving reproductive loss: a novel reproductive grief screening tool that health care practitioners can use to monitor women who would benefit from additional assistance and resources to help them manage their grief. Similar to existing tools to screen for postpartum depression, this new screening tool, called the Reproductive Grief Screen (RGS), could be used by clinicians in a variety of contexts, including in OB/GYN offices, family practice clinics, and mental health care settings.
Our recently published paper centers on a multi-phase research study in which we shared the RGS with women who have experienced reproductive loss to get their feedback on potential use of the tool, including their ideas on how the tool should be administered and discussed, as well as any concerns women have about the screening process.
Humanitarian Impact
Reproductive loss takes a well-documented toll on women’s mental health, and the effects of such loss(es) can persist for years. We aim to improve women’s lives through development of a set of best practices for administering and using the screening tool so that women can access the help and support they need.
Results / Data
Most women in our sample evaluated the RGS as a potentially helpful tool that could be used by a range of health care providers, with many participants stating that the items on the RGS helped to validate their own experiences. Women also expressed preferences to complete the RGS online and thought it would be helpful for providers to check in shortly after a loss and then periodically over time. Finally, women want their providers to show compassion and empathy when administering the RGS and discussing reproductive loss.