Lost in Silence
Understanding Disenfranchised Grief During Pregnancy Loss
She was told it’s okay, you're young. For many years, I did not understand the impact of a pregnancy resulting in miscarriage had on me. In today’s society, the term "disenfranchised" often surfaces in discussions surrounding social justice, rights, and emotional well-being. Understanding this term and its implications—especially about pregnancy loss—can foster greater awareness and empathy in our communities.
What Does Disenfranchised Mean?
The term "disenfranchised" refers to individuals or groups deprived of certain rights, privileges, or benefits. This common sense of disenfranchisement extends beyond legal rights to encompass social, emotional, and economic exclusion, often leading to feelings of powerlessness.
What is Disenfranchised Grief?
Disenfranchised grief relates explicitly to the mourning process that occurs when a person's grief is not socially acknowledged or validated. This phenomenon is particularly relevant when we discuss miscarriage or other pregnancy-related losses.
Many women experience profound grief after losing a pregnancy, yet society often minimizes these losses due to stigmas surrounding early pregnancy or because the loss is not visible to others. This lack of acknowledgment can leave women feeling isolated and unheard, perpetuating feelings of guilt or shame regarding their emotions.
Why Is Acknowledging Pregnancy Loss Important?
Why Understanding Maternal Mental Health Disparities Among People of Color in the Context of Inherited Grief Matters.
Higher Rates of Depression: According to the American Psychological Association, Black and Hispanic women are more likely to experience postpartum depression compared to white women. Data indicates that about 37% of Black women and 33% of Hispanic women report depressive symptoms within the first year postpartum.
Research highlights that women of color may carry the weight of inherited grief influenced by systemic racism, socio-economic factors, and historical trauma.
This inherited grief can exacerbate feelings of anxiety and depression, particularly during the perinatal period. Over 50% of Black women report experiencing both anxiety and depression, which complicates their overall mental health during and after childbirth.
Because she believes the myth “ it’s okay,” I needed the following in ways I had not previously recognized. I am sure that the misinformation was learned from others and passed down for generations, unaware of its harm. Grief education is designed to disrupt this cycle. Think deeply about how you may begin to help others and perhaps yourself by adapting the suggestions below on acknowledging pregnancy loss.
Validation of Experience: Acknowledging grief associated with miscarriage allows women to feel seen and heard, promoting emotional healing.
Creating Safe Spaces: Fostering environments where women can share their experiences of pregnancy loss helps break the silence surrounding disenfranchised grief.
Building Empathy: Understanding the impact of pregnancy loss encourages compassion and support within communities, helping validate those affected's emotions.
How to Support Those Experiencing Pregnancy Loss
Listen Actively: Provide a compassionate and non-judgmental space for individuals to express their feelings about their loss.
Validate Their Emotions: Recognize that their grief is real and deserves acknowledgment.
Educate Yourself and Others: Share information about pregnancy loss and disenfranchised grief to raise awareness and promote understanding.
Miscarriages and pregnancy-related losses often bring significant emotional pain, yet they can be overlooked or minimized. By understanding and addressing disenfranchisement surrounding these experiences, we can create a more inclusive environment that honors all forms of grief. This Women's History Month, let’s uplift and support women through every phase of loss and healing.
This work is deeply personal; I have experienced much of what I write about. Grief education is a cornerstone to feeling, processing, and becoming resilient through life's challenges. I have a deep sense of purpose in helping others on their journey to mental wellness.
Thank you for meeting me here!
Anna Laura
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Reference:
American Psychological Association. (2019). Postpartum Depression Among Mothers. Link
Journal of Women's Health. (2020). Barriers to Mental Health Care for Women of Color. Link
