Dynamics and dimensions: Ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief of partners following a miscarriage, stillbirth or TOPFA

The significance of a pregnancy on the woman is hard to overstate, inextricably impacting and interweaving all aspects of the woman's life. This significance is exponentially compounded depending on how the pregnancy ends. While there is a substantial body of research exploring the senses of loss experienced by women after a miscarriage, stillbirth or termination of pregnancy for foetal abnormality (TOPFA), the experience of their partners has not been examined in as great a detail. Although the partner does not directly experience the pregnancy, they may have their own expectations or anticipations to loss, exposing them to the phenomena of disenfranchised grief and ambiguous loss. This raises many questions about the origins, dynamics and impacts of these types of grief on this population. What are the social, psychological, cultural or existential dimensions that might form or shape their expectations? Does this change the experience? What attributions exist? Is it God's will? Is it punishment? Is it controllable and, if so, who influenced the outcome? What are the dynamics through which grief might be denied, minimised, acknowledged or transcended following this type of loss? And what do various theorists posit as key factors to be addressed? In this article, the authors interconnect two conceptual frameworks to provide a complex context of social reality that facilitates the pursuit of much‑needed research into this phenomenon. In doing so, they also interweave understandings of personal and social dynamics to guide and negotiate explorations of this domain.