Understanding pregnancy loss in Taiwan

Introduction: The experience of pregnancy following a previous pregnancy loss can be diffi cult and psychologicallychallenging. Over 34,000 women experience pregnancy loss in Taiwan every year. Objectives: Thispaper reports an action research project that mapped the journey of Taiwanese women who have sufferedprevious pregnancy loss.Methods: The methodology was participative and cyclical. Ethical approval was obtained from University ofUlster and the medical center in Taiwan. Women were invited to participant in the study and bereavement supportwas available for all participants. Initially, interviews were used with six Asian women living in Taiwan toelicit their perspectives on their journey. The second phase was the translation of the SANDS information packfrom English to Mandarin. The third phase was interviewed the reference mothers and health providers evaluatedthe value and acceptability of information pack. Results: The data of the first stage from six women wasanalyzed. A metaphor of “sailing against the tide” emerged from the data to depict three stages of the journeyfrom grief to joy. The second phase involved translation and adaptation of the SANDS pack into mandarin withthe support and advice of the expert reference groups including women, midwives, nurses, a social worker,and doctors. The analysis indicated an overall acceptance of the support pack with cultural modified required.There included removal of information about autopsy, clear indication that the majority of cases of the causeddeath is unknown, providing footprints of deceased baby as mementoes and more funeral information.Conclusion: The fi ndings have been used to draft a theoretical cameo of the journey and providechallenging insight into the needs of mothers. The information pack will be revised based on theculture difference and will support other women in similar circumstances. Perinatal bereavementcare with cultural sensitivity has potential in an Asian context.Acknowledgements: Thank the mothers and health providers whose commitment and generosityin sharing their stories and opinions made the research possible.