The impact of prior medical termination of pregnancy on the mother’s early relationship with a subsequent infant

Abstract Objective: There is insufficient research on the mother’s early relationship with a child born subsequent to a previous medical termination of pregnancy (TOP). This study explores mother-infant interactions following prior TOP and the impact on the infant’s development. Methods: Being an exploratory research comprising 12 mother-infant (6–7 months old) couples, following prior TOP, and five controls, this study uses a descriptive methodology and a qualitative approach. The Greenspan and Lieberman Observation Scale (GLOS) and the Stern’s “R”-Interview were employed to investigate the mother-infant relationship. We used the Brunet-Lézine’s Revised Scales (BL-R) and the Projective Kit for Early Childhood (PKEC) to assess the infant’s development. Grief resolution was taken into account (Perinatal Grief Scale, semi-structured interview). Results: The later the perinatal loss, the less likely children are to express their emotions and respond contingently (GLOS). Their psychomotor (BL-R) and emotional (PKEC) development remains adequate. Unresolved grief is associated with more pronounced disturbances: no dyadic exchange (GLOS), language disruptions (BL-R), and withdrawal from the environment (PKEC). Conclusions: This study suggests that mother-infant interactions following a prior late TOP could undergo disturbances, which do not lead systematically to pathogenic effect on the subsequent child. Nevertheless, unresolved grief could lead to adverse effects.