The Fear of Infertility: A Psychoanalytic Study of Recurrent Miscarriage

In clear and accessible language this books explores the fears, anxieties, and conflicts felt after the traumatic event of a miscarriage and during the current pregnancy, and suggests possible interventions which from a psychoanalytical point of view can be helpful in dealing with these emotional difficulties and to bring about change. The author investigates the impact of the emotional responses of the mothers and couples to the traumatic event of previous miscarriage, and how they experience the loss and the impact of this previous traumatic event into the new pregnancy. The book describes the maternal state of mind, observing from a psychoanalytical point of view both the unconscious anxieties and phantasies as well as the defences used to counter depressive feelings and the profound pain caused by the loss and the fear of infertility. Different responses within the couple are also described: for example, denial of the risk and the limits imposed by the high risk pregnancy, or when the couple feels overwhelmed by pain and pessimism; alternatively, the contrary may occur and there can be a split within the couple between their different ways of living through the painful experience and reacting to it. These differences can generate tensions and misunderstandings between couples. The book also evaluates the usefulness of a brief psychoanalytically-oriented intervention in helping very vulnerable mothers (or couples) to cope with their anxieties about the health and survival of the foetus and to explore possible ways for counselling these patients within the busy maternal/foetal unit of a hospital. It looks at the environment provided by the professionals involved and the type of emotional responses this produces in the expectant couples, including the attitude of the medical staff towards their patients’ emotional problems. As a child psychotherapist, the author is also interested in exploring these aspects of these mothers’ experiences following the birth of their baby. Her discussion of this provides rich food for thought for the reader.