Open Collections will undergo maintenance on Thursday, July 24th, 2025. The site will not be available from 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM PST and performance may be impacted from 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM PST.

UBC Graduate Research

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss and Chronic Sorrow Larochelle, Karen

Abstract

Recurrent pregnancy loss refers to three or more consecutive miscarriages and affects an estimated 1% of conceiving couples. This paper examines recurrent pregnancy loss in relation to the middle-range nursing theory of chronic sorrow using a comprehensive literature review with autobiographical narrative as an exemplar, and includes a practice innovation designed for women experiencing pregnancy loss. The author suggests chronic sorrow is a normal response to recurrent pregnancy loss that gives validity to these women’s grief experiences, which nurses are well placed to assess for and address.