Submission to Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology 34th
International Conference by:
Sylvia Murphy Tighe HRB Research Fellow/Doctoral Midwifery Student, School
of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
Professor Joan Lalor, School of Nursing & Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin,
Ireland.
Title: The Psychological Implications of Concealed Pregnancy for Women and
their Babies: The Hidden Costs.
Objective: The purpose of this paper is to highlight the psychological
implications of concealed pregnancy for women and their babies. This paper
will describe the unmet psychological needs of women who experience a
concealed pregnancy and the implications for their infants.
Background: Concealed pregnancy has no universal definition and is a public
health issue. Concealing a pregnancy can be an emotionally distressing and
isolating experience for a woman (Conlon 2006). The psychological
implications for women who experience a concealed pregnancy are
considerable and often unrecognised.
Variations in the duration of concealed pregnancy are observed. Revealing a
pregnancy which is concealed is a significant time for a woman and a desire for
privacy and confidentiality exist. Women who conceal their pregnancies may
opt to have their baby adopted or may choose to mother their infant. There
exists psychological implications for women in both circumstances. The impact
of concealed pregnancy on maternal-infant attachment is unknown. Concealed
pregnancy has been neglected as a topic of research.
Methods: The findings discussed are based on a review of the literature on
concealed pregnancy. The background to this review is a grounded study of
Concealed Pregnancy entitled Keeping it Secret The KISS Study Your Story of
Concealed Pregnancy.
Results: This paper will discuss the psychological implications of concealed
pregnancy for women and their babies. The psychological impact of concealed
pregnancy on women include emotional distress, fear, anxiety and behaviours
such as avoidance, secrecy, isolation, minimisation have been identified. The
unmet psychological needs of women who conceal their pregnancy will be
presented. The impact of concealed pregnancy on the infant will also be
discussed. Serious case reviews in the UK have highlighted a link between
concealed pregnancy and neonaticide.
Conclusions: This paper will highlight the psychological implications of
concealed pregnancy and the paucity of research in this area. The findings
have implications for women, their babies, maternity service providers and
policy makers. Recommendations for practice and future research will be
presented.