The experience of early miscarriage from a male perspective

In the literature there is increasing awareness of the psychological consequences of early miscarriage for women. However, there is little on the feelings, needs and experiences of men whose partner has had an early miscarriage. This paper aims to describe the experience of early miscarriage from a male perspective using a phenomenological approach. Seven categories related to the experience of early miscarriage are discussed: Feelings, Loss, Characteristics and differences between men and women, Staff action and attitudes, What to do?, Coping and time. Based on an awareness of the needs of both partners, it is suggested that nurses have a key role to play in delivering effective interventions after early miscarriage.