Health
The Language We Use For Miscarriage Is Failing Women
If we hear about miscarriage at all, it’s usually in hushed tones or euphemisms. For a loss this profound and physical, the words we use matter, for women’s safety and the dignity of both mothers and babies.
By Greta Waldon4 min read
According to the Mayo Clinic, about 10–20% of pregnancies end in miscarriage. The number may be closer to 30% if very early or otherwise undetected losses are included. Even though this loss is so common, it’s typically not something most women talk openly about. The traditional rule for when to announce a pregnancy acknowledges this: don’t tell anyone you’re pregnant until the second trimester unless you’d also be willing to tell them you had a miscarriage.