Fetal grief: interruption of a promise

Authors

  • Helena Carneiro Aguiar Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro
  • Sílvia Zornig Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1981-1624.v21i2p264-281

Keywords:

fetal grief, grief work, melancholy, psychoanalysis

Abstract

This article discusses the psychoanalytic work carried out after fetal death in the light of psychoanalytic theory. This particular form of grief includes important characteristics, such as the non-recognition of the surroundings and confusion concerning the lost object, comprising both a narcissistic and an object component. A few issues regarding the mourning and the internalization of the experience are discussed. We point out how melancholy can often be a response to fetal loss, imprisoning the subject into a relentless quest to regain the lost object. These issues are illustrated by clinical case studies.

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Published

2016-08-01

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Aguiar, H. C., & Zornig, S. (2016). Fetal grief: interruption of a promise. Clinical Styles. The Journal on the Vicissitudes of Childhood, 21(2), 264-281. https://doi.org/10.11606/issn.1981-1624.v21i2p264-281