Disenfranchised Grief Following a Traumatic Birth |
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Authors: | Jocelyn M. DeGroot Tennley A. Vik |
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Affiliation: | 1. Applied Communication Studies, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois, USA;2. Department of Communication &3. Theatre, Emporia State University, Emporia, Kansas, USA |
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Abstract: | Following a “failed” birth plan, some women experience trauma. Because most of these women do end up with a healthy baby, their support system does not necessarily support the sadness felt at the loss of the dream birth experience, leading to disenfranchised grief. Comments on a Facebook post linked to an essay from the Scary Mommy website were examined. Thematic analysis revealed three overarching categories of comments: (a) grief is disenfranchised by others through nonlosses and one-upping; (b) other posters expressed camaraderie for the loss of a dream birth, expressing empathy; and, (c) conditional support. |
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Keywords: | Birth plan birth trauma disenfranchised grief one-upping |
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