“A Silent Battle”: Using a Feminist Approach to Support Couples after Miscarriage

ABSTRACT

The lack of recognition and understanding of miscarriage as a significant loss often leaves bereaved parents with less social support to help them navigate their grief. In a phenomenological study of parents’ experiences of miscarriage, a theme emerged regarding disenfranchisement and the norm of silence surrounding early pregnancy loss. This theme contributes to overwhelming evidence that miscarriage is a unique loss with additional challenges. This paper will discuss this theme of disenfranchisement and describe how a feminist approach to couples therapy can provide greater support to parents experiencing this loss.

KEYWORDS:

• Miscarriage
• couples
• grief
• disenfranchisement
• feminism