Body image and sexual health in people who have lost a child in pregnancy, at birth or neonatally
A Danish descriptive cohort-study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 19220639 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Natasia Hindsbak (0009-0008-7548-8641, Odense University Hospital, corresponding author), Birgitte Folmann (0000-0003-0814-9443, University College South Denmark), Mette Dahl Andersen (0000-0002-8258-3398, University of Southern Denmark), Christina Prinds (0000-0003-2376-1278, University of Southern Denmark), Dorte Hvidtjørn (0000-0003-1111-9114, Aarhus University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Death Studies (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0748-1187 • E-ISSN: 1091-7683 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/07481187.2026.2649285 |
| PMID | 42018491 |
| OpenAlex | W7155163815 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
Pregnancy loss may affect body image and sexual health, yet little is known about these changes. This study explored how people who lost a child during pregnancy, at birth, or neonatally perceived these aspects. Participants from the Danish "Life after the Loss" cohort (bereaved between gestational week 14 and one month after birth) completed a survey on body image and sexual health, including rating scales on perceived body image, the Body Image Quality of Life Inventory, and questions on sexual health. Among 219 participants, women who gave birth at the loss reported average but changed body image after the loss and a slightly negative impact on quality of life. Partners reported good and mostly unchanged body image after the loss without quality of life effects. Over the past year, most women reported reduced sexual desire and felt their needs were met; partners reported unchanged desire and unmet needs
Danish · Descriptive research · Occupational safety and health · Poison control · Population · Reproductive health · Sexual behavior · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
The impact of body image experiences
Miscarriage matters
From grief, guilt pain and stigma to hope and pride – a systematic review and meta-analysis of mixed-method research of the psychosocial impact of stillbirth
Sexual Body Image and Its Correlates
Miscarriage Effects on Couples’ Interpersonal and Sexual Relationships During the First Year After Loss
Body Dissatisfaction, Importance of Appearance, and Body Appreciation in Men and Women Over the Lifespan
Carrying Death
The Adult Body
Continuing bonds in parents after a loss in pregnancy, or a death at or shortly after birth
The Mindful Body
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |