#AbortionChangesYou: A Case Study to Understand the Communicative Tensions in Women’s Medication Abortion Narratives

Relational Dialectics Theory

“…In addition, scholars have studied meaning‐making surrounding more specific health and ability issues, such as diabetes management and communication (L. L. S. O'Hara, 2017; L. L. O'Hara & Shue, 2018; Peltola & Isotalus, 2020), sensemaking of endometriosis (Krebs & Schoenbauer, 2019), hearing loss (Scharp & Barker, 2020), and mental illness and violence (Sporer & Toller, 2017). Researchers have also examined meanings surrounding physical loss, including pregnancy loss (Bute & Brann, 2020), abortion experiences (Rafferty & Longbons, 2020), and end‐of‐life care (Ohs et al, 2015).…”

Uncovering Prolonged Grief Reactions Subsequent to a Reproductive Loss: Implications for the Primary Care Provider

“…Furthermore, researcher Farren and her colleagues (Farren et al, 2016, p. 8) said, "Exposure to early pregnancy loss on a daily basis may lead clinicians to normalize the experience and overlook the possible profound psychological sequelae." Thus, regardless of the manner in which the loss took place, numerous women mourn their loss in secret and many reveal feelings of shame (Baxter and Akkor, 2011;Sisco et al, 2014;Duncan and Cacciatore, 2015;Bommaraju et al, 2016;Ebersole and Hernandez, 2016;Rafferty and Longbons, 2020). Consequently, disenfranchised grief compounded by the ambiguity inherent to first trimester losses can result in a grief trajectory that may be prolonged and complicated (Baxter and Akkor, 2011;Lang et al, 2011;Farren et al, 2020).…”

“…The grief experience related to reproductive loss, particularly for first trimester miscarriage and elective abortion, is often unacknowledged by society and healthcare providers ( Lang et al, 2011 ; deMontigny et al, 2017 ; Bellhouse et al, 2018 ). When elucidating on disenfranchisement of the grief that can occur with reproductive loss, researcher Lang and her colleagues ( Lang et al, 2011 , p. 26) explained that, “Among healthcare professionals and society at large … perinatal loss is generally viewed as a less traumatic or prolonged experience that the death of an older child or an adult… [and] bereaved parents often find it hard to reconcile their intense feelings with society’s lack of validation.” Furthermore, researcher Farren and her colleagues ( Farren et al, 2016 , p. 8) said, “Exposure to early pregnancy loss on a daily basis may lead clinicians to normalize the experience and overlook the possible profound psychological sequelae.” Thus, regardless of the manner in which the loss took place, numerous women mourn their loss in secret and many reveal feelings of shame ( Baxter and Akkor, 2011 ; Sisco et al, 2014 ; Duncan and Cacciatore, 2015 ; Bommaraju et al, 2016 ; Ebersole and Hernandez, 2016 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ). Consequently, disenfranchised grief compounded by the ambiguity inherent to first trimester losses can result in a grief trajectory that may be prolonged and complicated ( Baxter and Akkor, 2011 ; Lang et al, 2011 ; Farren et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Consequently, disenfranchised grief compounded by the ambiguity inherent to first trimester losses can result in a grief trajectory that may be prolonged and complicated ( Baxter and Akkor, 2011 ; Lang et al, 2011 ; Farren et al, 2020 ). Because of the disenfranchisement of reproductive grief, more women are turning to web-based reproductive bereavement resources ( Capitulo, 2004 ; Geller et al, 2006 ; Hardy and Kukla, 2015 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ). The discretion and accessibility of computer mediated platforms are an outlet enabling anonymous disclosure of the reproductive loss experience and providing resources for many who feel their experience is otherwise socially dismissed ( Capitulo, 2004 ; Klein et al, 2012 ; Ashford et al, 2016 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ).…”

“…Because of the disenfranchisement of reproductive grief, more women are turning to web-based reproductive bereavement resources ( Capitulo, 2004 ; Geller et al, 2006 ; Hardy and Kukla, 2015 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ). The discretion and accessibility of computer mediated platforms are an outlet enabling anonymous disclosure of the reproductive loss experience and providing resources for many who feel their experience is otherwise socially dismissed ( Capitulo, 2004 ; Klein et al, 2012 ; Ashford et al, 2016 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ). The proliferation of web-based supportive modalities provides the opportunity for research evaluating unrecognized gaps in reproductive healthcare ( Jones and Alony, 2008 ; Denecke and Nejdl, 2009 ; Wilson et al, 2015 ; Litchman et al, 2019 ; Rafferty and Longbons, 2020 ).…”