Mothers' experiences of bonding with their subsequent child following a previous perinatal bereavement.
5 affiliations
- 1Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 2Department of Clinical Psychology and Department of Research and Innovation, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 3The Perinatal Mental Health and Parenting (PRIME) Research Unit, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Development Department, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 4Children and Parents' Service, Manchester University Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom.
- 5Little Minds Psychology, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Abstract
Introduction
Perinatal bereavement can significantly affect a woman's psychological wellbeing and shape subsequent experiences of pregnancy and motherhood. However, no studies to date have qualitatively explored the impact of different types of perinatal bereavement experiences on bonding with a subsequent baby. Thus, the present study aimed to a) explore the psychological impact a previous perinatal bereavement had on maternal bonding with their subsequent baby (throughout pregnancy and post-birth) and b) identify the psychological and psychosocial support that helped in facilitating this bond.Methods
In this qualitative study, women who had experienced a perinatal bereavement and had a subsequent child (up to the age of five) were recruited and interviewed. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Results
Seventeen women took part. Two main themes, with five subthemes, were developed from their interview data. Theme 1, Bracing for loss, represented how participants' experiences of subsequent pregnancies were accompanied by a persistent worry of another loss occurring. Theme 1 also explored how participants coped with high levels of worry and how it shaped early experiences of mother-infant bonding. Theme 2, Navigating motherhood after perinatal bereavement with a subsequent baby, captured participants' experiences of reconstructing their family narrative following the birth of a live baby. Bonding with their subsequent baby was considered in conjunction to the lost baby. This theme also focused on social influences that shaped bonding, such as access to support networks and therapy.Discussion
This study was the first to explore mother-infant bonding following different types of previous perinatal bereavement. Mother-infant bonding following perinatal bereavement appeared to be a dynamic and non-linear process, shaped by worries of a potential future loss, self-preservation strategies, and mothers' efforts to integrate their identities as a mother to both their lost and living baby. Continuing bonds with their lost baby appeared to support grief integration and increase emotional capacity for bonding with their subsequent baby. The findings from the current study emphasise the need for trauma-informed and relational approaches within perinatal services that support both maternal wellbeing and the development of the mother-infant bond.
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BibTeX
@article{heffermanclarke2026mothers,
title = {{Mothers' experiences of bonding with their subsequent child following a previous perinatal bereavement.}},
author = {Rebecca Hefferman-Clarke and Lynsey Gregg and Lucy Singer and Anja Wittkowski},
journal = {Frontiers in psychiatry},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1894993},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909864},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Mothers' experiences of bonding with their subsequent child following a previous perinatal bereavement.
AU - Rebecca Hefferman-Clarke
AU - Lynsey Gregg
AU - Lucy Singer
AU - Anja Wittkowski
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/07
JO - Frontiers in psychiatry
DO - 10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1894993
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42909864
AB - Introduction Perinatal bereavement can significantly affect a woman's psychological wellbeing and shape subsequent experiences of pregnancy and motherhood. However, no studies to date have qualitatively explored the impact of different types of perinatal bereavement experiences on bonding with a subsequent baby. Thus, the present study aimed to a) explore the psychological impact a previous perinatal bereavement had on maternal bonding with their subsequent baby (throughout pregnancy and post-birth) and b) identify the psychological and psychosocial support that helped in facilitating this bond.Methods In this qualitative study, women who had experienced a perinatal bereavement and had a subsequent child (up to the age of five) were recruited and interviewed. Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis.Results Seventeen women took part. Two main themes, with five subthemes, were developed from their interview data. Theme 1, Bracing for loss, represented how participants' experiences of subsequent pregnancies were accompanied by a persistent worry of another loss occurring. Theme 1 also explored how participants coped with high levels of worry and how it shaped early experiences of mother-infant bonding. Theme 2, Navigating motherhood after perinatal bereavement with a subsequent baby, captured participants' experiences of reconstructing their family narrative following the birth of a live baby. Bonding with their subsequent baby was considered in conjunction to the lost baby. This theme also focused on social influences that shaped bonding, such as access to support networks and therapy.Discussion This study was the first to explore mother-infant bonding following different types of previous perinatal bereavement. Mother-infant bonding following perinatal bereavement appeared to be a dynamic and non-linear process, shaped by worries of a potential future loss, self-preservation strategies, and mothers' efforts to integrate their identities as a mother to both their lost and living baby. Continuing bonds with their lost baby appeared to support grief integration and increase emotional capacity for bonding with their subsequent baby. The findings from the current study emphasise the need for trauma-informed and relational approaches within perinatal services that support both maternal wellbeing and the development of the mother-infant bond.
SN - 1664-0640
ER -