Early YEARS
Dealing with Grief
After a Medical Termination
of a Pregnancy and
How to Get Help
BY SOLSTICE
U
nder Bermuda Law, a preg-
nancy may be terminated
on the grounds of incest,
rape, and maternal or foetal health.
This article focuses on grief following a
medical termination due to maternal or
foetal health.
The decision to terminate a
pregnancy is, obviously, a very difficult
one. It is important that women and
their partners faced with this situation
receive as much information as possible
about the particular health condition
and their options.
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BERMUDA PARENT MAGAZINE
Common feelings in this situation
include:
• A sense of disbelief and unfair-
ness – questioning why has this
happened?
• Feelings of guilt, inadequacy and
shame: that they have passed
something on to the child, that
there is something wrong with
them, or with their side of the
family. They may feel they have let
their partner down and are not
good enough for them.
• Concern and worries about future
pregnancies and a fear that the
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•
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health issues will be repeated.
Worries about the termination pro-
cedure and whether it may cause
difficulties for future pregnancies.
Feeling overwhelmed by having
to make the decision to termi-
nate a desired pregnancy. This is
most prominent in the first three
months, with their perceived
responsibility in determining the
pregnancy outcome contributing
to feelings of guilt and grief.
Certain religious beliefs, exist-
ing relationship issues, and social
stigma can make it harder to cope.