A Mother’s Voice: The Construction of Maternal Identity Following Perinatal Loss

Abstract

Background Maternal identity, a mother’s internalized view of self as mother, has not been studied in relation to perinatal loss. This study aimed to investigate how women construct a sense of maternal identity after the loss of a baby. Methods We interviewed 10 mothers who had experienced perinatal loss. A Listening Guide framework for narrative analysis was used to identify patterns of giving voice to the mother’s own story. Results We identified 12 overarching voices which fell within three distinct groupings: voices of motherhood, voices of grief, and voices of growth. Although bereaved mothers grappled with constructing their maternal identity, they also demonstrated how maternal identity is individually and intuitively created through an honouring and remembering of the child that was lost, resulting in significant growth. Conclusions There is need for a broader definition of what constitutes motherhood to encapsulate diverse mothering experiences, including perinatal loss.