Abstract
BACKGROUND: The experience of pregnancy loss inflicts lasting psychological trauma on women, significantly impacting their subsequent pregnancies. This study aimed to understand the feelings and thoughts of pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss. METHODS: Between February and May 2023, participants were purposively sampled from three tertiary hospitals and one community hospital in Guangdong Province, China. Two interviewers conducted semi-structured, one-on-one interviews, which were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Colaizzi's seven-step method. RESULTS: Thematic saturation was achieved after 15 interviews, with three additional interviews confirming no new emergent themes, resulting a total of 18 participants. Four main themes emerged: (1) Resilient yet hyper-vigilant emotional experiences; (2) Supportive yet burdensome family dynamics; (3) Advanced yet impersonal healthcare services; and (4) Abundant yet complex information resources. CONCLUSION: For pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss, their unique experiences are deeply intertwined with family interactions, clinical encounters, and information-seeking behaviors. Developing personalized care models is essential to provide comprehensive support for this population.