A Birth, a Death: The Grief Experiences of Mothers Who Lose One of Their Twins after Birth

Abstract

This study explores the unique grief experiences of mothers who have lost one of their babies after a twin pregnancy. It aims to provide an in-depth understanding of their emotions, the challenges they faced, and their coping strategies. The data were analyzed using six-phase thematic analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews with seven mothers in Türkiye who experienced this loss. The analysis revealed that mothers experienced an intense emotional duality characterized by simultaneous grief and attachment to the surviving infant. Mothers described feelings of shock, guilt, emotional conflict, overprotective parenting, and disenfranchised grief shaped by societal minimization of their loss. Interactions with healthcare systems, funeral practices, spouses, and social environments significantly influenced the process. The study highlights the need for trauma-informed psychosocial interventions for bereaved families and emphasizes the importance of legitimizing the grief of mothers who lose one of their twins.