Hiding in Plain Sight: A Narrative Review of Non-Parental Relatives' Perinatal Grief

Perinatal loss is often immensely painful for families, yet remains unrecognized despite its ubiquity. Perinatal loss frequently leads to disenfranchised grief, and members of family systems less proximate to the loss are at risk for additional disenfranchisement. Grandparents and siblings are especially vulnerable to complications in perinatal grief due to intersecting and disenfranchising factors of identity, including age, role within family, and type of loss. The purpose of this narrative review was to examine their experiences in order to provide informed support. Medline via OVID was searched using specific terms to identify articles for inclusion. Content from each article was screened, synthesized, and codified according to salient themes. Evidence found attested to the uniquely complex grief experiences these populations face as a result of their confluent disenfranchisement, and their overwhelming lack of support and recognition. New insights uncovered may inform clinicians as they assess needs and provide support to these oft-ignored grievers. Significant research gaps remain in this subtopic, such as firsthand perspectives of nonparental grievers, data on other extended family members, and the effect of additional psychosocial stressors on nonparental perinatal grief. As recent legal restrictions curtail reproductive healthcare access, the need for support and research is especially salient.