Objective: to evaluate how a history of pregnancy loss in the perinatal period (from 20 weeks of gestation to seven days post partum) affects women during subsequent pregnancies. Design: cross-sectional, descriptive study. Setting: Istanbul Medical School, Istanbul University between January and October 2009. Participants: 128 pregnant women with a history of pregnancy loss and 214 pregnant women without a history of pregnancy loss. Measurements and findings: in all women, antenatal attachment was measured using the Prenatal Attachment Inventory, depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies' Depression Scale, and coping with stress was measured using the Scale of Ways of Coping with Stress. The rates of undergoing tests (other than routine tests) (p<0.001), calling medical professionals (p<0.001) and visiting an obstetrician more than once per month (p<0.001) were higher in women with a history of pregnancy loss compared with women without a history of pregnancy loss. No difference was found between the groups in terms of coping with stress (p>0.05) and antenatal attachment (p=0.384). However, depressive symptoms were higher in women with a history of pregnancy loss (p=0.008). Key conclusions and implications for practice: levels of depression, antenatal attachment and coping with stress should be evaluated meticulously in women with a history of pregnancy loss, and appropriate interventions should be performed. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd.