The Aftermath of Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

Although 15%-20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage (Borg & Lasker, 1989; Swanson, 1999), many health care professionals do not recognize miscarriage as a psychologically taxing event, and thus women are not routinely provided with follow-up care (Lee, Slade, & Lygo, 1996; Reinharz, 1988). The purpose of this article is to explore some of the issues that arise for women who experience pregnancy loss and to offer some suggestions for therapists working with women and their families. The psychological literature on perinatal loss is reviewed from a critical feminist perspective. I argue that therapists must privilege the personal meanings of a woman's stillbirth or miscarriage experience, while simultaneously appreciating the sociopolitical context in which the loss is embedded.

Key Words:

• Miscarriage
• feminist therapy
• pregnancy loss