'Once you open that Pandora's box, you cannot close it': a qualitative study on family relationships following insemination fraud.

RESEARCH QUESTION: Insemination fraud occurs when the spermatozoa intended for insemination have been intentionally swapped for another person's without the knowledge of the intended family. In what ways is this experienced by recipient parents and their offspring? DESIGN: This was a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 15 participants (seven parents and eight donor-conceived individuals) affected by insemination fraud involving the same doctor in Canada. RESULTS: This study documents how insemination fraud is experienced by recipient parents and (their) offspring at the personal and relational levels. At the personal level, insemination fraud can induce a sense of agency loss for the recipient parents and a (temporary) sense of identity realignment for the offspring. At the relational level, it can lead to a reshuffling of genetic ties through the new genetic mapping it involves. This reshuffling can, in turn, disrupt kinship ties, leaving a deep imprint that some families struggle to overcome. Experiences differ depending on whether or not the progenitor is known, and when he is known, on whether it is another donor or the doctor himself. CONCLUSIONS: Given the significant challenges that insemination fraud poses to the families who experience it, it is important that this practice be subjected to the medical, legal and social scrutiny it deserves.

Compassionate Care for Parents Experiencing Miscarriage in the Emergency Department: A Situation-Specific Theory.

In many countries, parents experiencing miscarriage seek treatment in the emergency department (ED). Parents frequently report dissatisfaction with ED care, while nurses report not knowing how to provide optimal care. This article describes the development of a situation-specific theory, Compassionate care for parents experiencing miscarriage in the ED , based on 4 concepts (change trigger, transition properties, conditions of change, and interventions). This theory evolved from a comprehensive review of the literature, 2 empirical studies, Transitions Theory, and collaborative efforts of an experienced team. The detailed theory development process facilitates its integration in practice and supports new theory development.

Bereaved parents' experience of support groups following perinatal bereavement: a thematic synthesis / L'expérience des parents endeuillés participant à des groupes de soutien après un deuil périnatal : une synthèse thématique

Support groups play an essential role in caring for parents experiencing perinatal death and bereavement. However, there is very little data on the effectiveness of these services on their well-being. To better understand the experience of bereaved parents using support group services, a qualitative systematic review was conducted using Thomas and Harden's method. Seven databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsycARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit, and Repère) were searched in October 2017 with an update in June 2021. A total of 16 studies were included and critically evaluated. The thematic synthesis made it possible to generate four analytical themes to describe parents' experience according to the notion of spaces. The first theme refers to external space, i.e., the format of the support groups (virtual or face-to-face), and the other three themes reflect internal spaces, i.e., the functions of the groups (support, expression, and learning). This thematic synthesis confirms that participating in support groups benefits bereaved parents. It also offers possible solutions to improve the structure and accessibility of support groups.

Les groupes de soutien jouent un rôle essentiel dans les soins dispensés aux parents lors d'un deuil périnatal. Or il existe très peu de données à l'égard de l'efficacité de ces services sur leur bien-être. Pour mieux comprendre l'expérience des parents endeuillés utilisant les services de groupe de soutien, une revue systématique qualitative a été réalisée selon la méthode de Thomas et Harden. Sept bases de données (MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, PsysARTICLES, Cairn, Érudit et Repère) ont été consultées en octobre 2017 avec une mise à jour en juin 2021. Au total, 16 études ont été incluses et évaluées de manière critique. La synthèse thématique a permis de générer quatre thèmes analytiques pour décrire l'expérience des parents selon la notion d'espaces. Le premier thème renvoie à l'espace externe, soit au format des groupes (virtuel ou en présentiel), et les trois autres thèmes reflètent les espaces internes, soit les fonctions des groupes (soutien, expression et apprentissage). Cette synthèse thématique confirme que la participation à des groupes de soutien apporte des bienfaits aux parents endeuillés. Elle offre également des pistes de solutions pour améliorer la structure et l'accessibilité des groupes de soutien.

Workplace experience of parents coping with perinatal loss: A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal loss affects many parents in the workforce. Yet, current knowledge about their workplace experience while facing this difficult event is sparse. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this study was to review and synthesize the extent of scientific literature on the specific experiences of workers coping with perinatal loss and the resulting bereavement. METHODS: A scoping review was carried out using eight different databases. A total of 15 references, all using a qualitative methodology, were identified. RESULTS: Most of the references focused on the experience of mothers and on late perinatal loss (from the 20th week of pregnancy). All references highlighted the taboo and the non-recognition of perinatal grief and bereavement in both organizational practices and interpersonal relationships with colleagues and immediate supervisors. They also emphasized the difficulties associated with returning to work after the loss and the significant changes in the meaning attributed to work. CONCLUSIONS: While the studies included in this review clearly indicate that perinatal loss can affect working life, larger, quantitative studies are needed to quantify this phenomenon and its impact on employees and their organizations.

Understanding the spirituality of parents following stillbirth: A qualitative meta-synthesis.

This meta-synthesis aims to synthesize qualitative evidence from primary studies to better understand the experience of the spirituality of parents and its relationship to adapting following stillbirth. Five electronic databases were systematically searched and the quality of 21 eligible studies was critically appraised. A thematic synthesis revealed two analytical themes: (1) Spiritual suffering following stillbirth; (2) Moving through spirituality to adapt to the loss, each encompassing four descriptive themes. The findings can inform a more culturally and spiritually sensitive approach to care, taking into account the parents' beliefs, folk customs, religion, values, and spiritual needs.

Experience of hope: An exploratory research with bereaved mothers following perinatal death.

PROBLEM: The negative implications of perinatal death on mothers' mental health are documented, however little is known about their experience of hope. BACKGROUND: Within the broader literature, hope has contributed to better mental health and bereavement adjustment and often bereaved mothers report the importance of hope for the grieving process. AIM: This study aims to explore bereaved mothers' experience of hope following perinatal death. METHODS: Individual interviews were conducted with 33 mothers having experienced the death of an infant in the perinatal period. Data from the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The mothers' experience of hope following perinatal loss is organized into three themes: Hope disrupted by perinatal loss; Transformed hope: a new pregnancy challenged by the sense of foreboding of another loss; and Ways to restore and foster hope in life. DISCUSSION: Although hope has been a motivating force for mothers to reconnect with their life plan and move on after a loss, it is also negatively affected by the experience of perinatal bereavement, social support, and health professionals' clinical practice. CONCLUSION: Bereaved mothers have reported a disruption in their experience of hope. While some experience a loss of hope or a sense of hopelessness, others experience a transformation and restoration of hope, which is reinvested in the grieving process. Mothers' experience of hope highlights the need for the support of a healthcare professional and may contribute to enhanced clinical practice through the promotion of bereavement care, considering the aspects that instil, maintain, and interfere with hope.