Jane Lockton

Inquiry focussing on grandparents’ experiences following a child’s pregnancy loss has concentrated on shorter-term grief and support outcomes. We aimed to understand longer-term wellbeing impacts exploring outcomes 10–20 years after the loss of a grandchild/ren during pregnancy. Our study addressed the questions: what are the longer-term outcomes for grandparents experiencing the loss of a grandchild in pregnancy?; what factors contribute to reduced grandparent/family coping or increased family distress?; what supports could be of benefit to grandparent wellbeing and family coping? We used thematic analysis to analyse interviews with 12 grandparents from Australia and the United States of America. Four themes resulted: The grief is ongoing, the support continues; Subsequent pregnancies: joyful anticipation has changed to anticipatory fear; Adjustment: Our lives, our family, and our wellbeing changed, and; Reflecting on these changes, how did our family cope? These findings confirm those of shorter-term studies but indicate that grandparents’ grief and the support they provide to their children are ongoing and, therefore, grandparents may require information and support for many years following loss. In addition, grandparent coping is influenced by parent coping. Therefore, interventions that focus on family adaptation to loss may also benefit families experiencing multiple losses or continued relationship disruption.

Pregnancy loss and neonatal death are recognized as distressing experiences for parents and other family members. However, no research has specifically addressed the experiences of grandfathers. This study aimed to understand grandfathers’ grief experiences, and to identify supports they provide, receive, and desire following the loss of a grandchild in pregnancy or the neonatal period. Semi-structured interviews with 10 Australian grandfathers were analyzed, applying principles of thematic analysis. Three themes related to grief and three themes related to support were identified. Findings indicated that grandfathers expressed grief in a range of ways, and emotional expressiveness did not reflect the extent of their grief. Grandfathers typically provided extensive support to their child and family; however, few supports were available to help grandfathers. Recognition and validation of grandfathers’ grief, early access to information, and guidance to a variety of supports including written materials, peer and professional support, is required.