Myth: We shouldn’t talk about pregnancy loss, it upsets people

Pregnancy loss happens and affects a large number of people. Silence adds to the stigma and means that pregnancy loss is not considered when prioritising resources and services (12).

We talk about a lot of difficult things in public discourses, like child death, suicide, murder, domestic violence and road deaths, and pregnancy loss should be no different. 

Avoiding discussion of pregnancy loss can cause people to feel isolated, experience disenfranchised grief, and face poorer mental health outcomes (13–16). Public awareness campaigns, support groups, and open conversations reduce stigma (16).

The stigma, sensitivities and silence, lack of awareness and understanding, and lack of relevance or priority afforded to pregnancy loss must be addressed as part of efforts to affect change in practice and policy (17).

References

(12) Hennessy M, Dennehy R, Matvienko-Sikar K, O’Sullivan-Lago R, Ui Dhúbhgáin J, Lucey C, O'Donoghue K. Views of knowledge users on recurrent miscarriage services and supports in the Republic of Ireland: a qualitative interview study. 2025;28(4):e70396.

(13) Cacciatore J. Psychological effects of stillbirth. Seminars in Fetal and Neonatal Medicine. 2013;18(2):76–82.

(14) Cacciatore J. The Unique Experiences of Women and Their Families After the Death of a Baby. Social Work in Health Care. 2010;49(2):134–48.

(15) Pollock D, Pearson E, Cooper M, Ziaian T, Foord C, Warland J. Voices of the unheard: A qualitative survey exploring bereaved parents experiences of stillbirth stigma. Women and Birth. 2020;33(2):165–74.

(16) Pollock D, Ziaian T, Pearson E, Cooper M, Warland J. Understanding stillbirth stigma: A scoping literature review. Women Birth. 2020;33(3):207–18.

(17) Hennessy M, O’Donoghue K. Bridging the gap between pregnancy loss research and policy and practice: insights from a qualitative survey with knowledge users. Health Research Policy and Systems. 2024;22(1):15.