Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

Abstract

This entry provides an overview of health communication research surrounding infertility and pregnancy loss. Although infertility and pregnancy loss are relatively common, they are socially complex phenomena. Those who experience infertility and/or pregnancy loss must navigate not only their loss and grief but also privacy management, disclosure of their diagnosis, and seeking social support. This entry covers aspects of interpersonal communication, clinician–patient communication, and public discourse surrounding infertility and miscarriage. This entry suggests that future research should include better representation of ethnic/racial minorities, low‐income populations, and LGBTQ+ communities, given the reproductive health disparities and the unique challenges faced by individuals in these groups. Future research should also examine how religious and cultural expectations of fertility, loss, motherhood, and grief affect how people discuss and cope with infertility/miscarriage.