‘Silent’ Miscarriage and Deafening Heteronormativity: A British Experiential and Critical Feminist Account

Abstract

In this paper we provide a critical feminist analysis of ‘silent’ miscarriage using our experiential accounts as a catalyst to explore both the academic and ‘lay’ literatures surrounding pregnancy loss. We delineate the similarities and differences in our own experiences before focusing on relational context as a prime site of diversity and difference. Through an examination of scholarly and ‘selfhelp’ writing on miscarriage we argue that pervasive heteronormativity doubly marginalises the experiences of lesbians – and women otherwise located outside the realm of heterosexual relationships. In conclusion, we suggest a more thorough engagement with ‘non-normative’ experiences of pregnancy loss will substantially enhance our understandings of miscarriage. Moreover, placing marginalised experience at the centre of pregnancy loss scholarship could significantly augment critical, feminist and social scientific theorising and contribute to pregnancy loss being more firmly located on reproductive health agendas.