Confronting the Inevitable: A Conceptual Model of Miscarriage for Use in Clinical Practice and Research

Abstract

In spite of scientific evidence that miscarriage has negative psychological consequences for many individuals and couples, silence and dismissal continue to surround this invisible loss in North American culture and beyond. The grief and sorrow of miscarriage has important implications for clinical practice. It indicates a need for therapeutic interventions delivered in a caring, compassionate, and culturally sensitive manner. This research, based on data from 3 phenomenological investigations conducted with 42 women from diverse geographical locations, sexual orientations, and cultural backgrounds offers a theoretical framework for addressing miscarriage in clinical practice and research.

Notes

¹The term inevitable refers only to the experiences of women who participated in our three studies. The results described herein may not be inevitable for other women. See Limitations for additional remarks on this point.