Motherhood and pregnancy loss in the African context: A scoping review

Abstract

Introduction

Pregnancy is associated with a woman’s transition to motherhood; however, pregnancy-loss produces intrapersonal and sociocultural disruption, with existential implications and lowered self-esteem. Motherhood, being culture-sensitive, warrants understanding how societies view motherhood when there is pregnancy-loss, to facilitate socioculturally sensitive and supportive services for bereaved women and families. Despite feminist enlightenment, in some societies a woman is seen as “incomplete” until she has a child. In Africa, women who experience pregnancy losses, especially those with no living children, are denied motherhood recognition.

Purpose

To understand the extent and type of knowledge available on motherhood when there is pregnancy loss in the African context; identify themes from psycho-social, nursing, and midwifery perspectives; and to provide a map of available knowledge as well as gaps for future for future research.

Review question

What is the existing knowledge on motherhood recognition when pregnancy loss occurs in the African context?

Eligible publications must be in English, it included quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods studies, and exclude other languages, on animals, and epidemiological information.

Methods

A scoping review was conducted in line with the steps of Arksey and O’Malley, modeled by the Joana Briggs Institute’s Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist.

Results

A descriptive Content analysis of seven articles reported that mothers want acknowledgment, also motherhood recognition diminishes at the level of the individual, society, and health-care-workers.

Conclusion

In pregnancy-loss, society must not strip bereaved mothers of their motherhood status, to promote maternal mental health.