ABSTRACT
When parents are confronted with the tragedy of their child’s death, it is expected that they will grieve and mourn. Our society acknowledges the value of rituals as a means of saying “good-bye” and providing closure when a friend or family member dies. What happens when parents experience the death of their child by miscarriage? When the hopes and dreams of having a baby are shattered by the sudden realization that the pregnancy will not develop to term and eventual birth, what happens? Add to this the reality that early pregnancy loss is treated medically in an out-patient setting such as a physician’s office, emergency room, or out-patient surgery area.
