Symbolic annihilation through design: Pregnancy loss in pregnancy-related mobile apps

Andalibi, Nazanin

doi:10.1177/1461444820984473

Cited by 19 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 64 publications

(94 reference statements)

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“…We discuss internet-based health literacy concerns and considerations for design in the following section. Pregnancy-related apps generally do not account for pregnancy loss [ 17 ], including information behavior–related needs. We suggest that future pregnancy-related and pregnancy loss–related information spaces should address the needs and challenges that we identify herein [ 28 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Without these aspects of design, individuals are less equipped to find information, make informed decisions about how the information could assist in maintaining their health, and effectively communicate this information to others. Researchers and technologists could consider these recommendations when designing pregnancy-related internet-based spaces, which tend to grossly neglect pregnancy loss [ 17 ], as well as spaces dedicated to pregnancy loss. Accounting for pregnancy loss in designing internet-based information spaces will help counter the stigma many endure and make space for diverse pregnancy narratives.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…We aligned our work with that of Layne [ 16 ], a feminist anthropologist, and Andalibi [ 17 ], a human-computer interaction (HCI) researcher, who argued that pregnancy loss should be included in feminist reproductive health discourse and pregnancy-related technology design, respectively. Indeed, the analysis of pregnancy-related mobile apps by Andalibi [ 17 ] illustrates the lack of consideration for pregnancy loss as a possible outcome of pregnancy in most apps that individuals with pregnancies use and argues that this reinforces linear, normative narratives about pregnancy and is marginalizing and harmful. The sociocultural context surrounding pregnancy loss leaves many without basic information about it, which can complicate and hinder coping.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Not only is the experience absent from dominant pregnancy narratives [ 16 ], but also grieving such losses is not socially acceptable, leading to inconsiderate or unsupportive reactions from others [ 15 ]. Research at the intersection of pregnancy loss and technology has examined how and why people choose to disclose it on social media [ 26 , 27 , 64 ], how and why others respond to such content [ 65 ], the outcomes of such disclosures [ 25 ], pregnancy-related apps’ inclusion of pregnancy loss [ 17 ], validation seeking on the internet after a loss [ 30 ], and information needs [ 28 ]. Kresnye et al [ 28 ] found that forums, Facebook, and blogs are common internet-based sources after pregnancy loss and that people needed general loss-related information, counseling resources, information about others’ experiences, and information from medical providers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet-Based Information Behavior After Pregnancy Loss: Interview Study

Andalibi¹,

Bowen²

2022

JMIR Form Res

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Background Information behavior describes all human behaviors in relation to information. Individuals experiencing disruption or stigma often use internet-based tools and spaces to meet their associated information needs. One such context is pregnancy loss, which, although impactful and common, has been absent from much of feminist and reproductive health and information behavior scholarship. By understanding information behavior after pregnancy loss and accounting for it in designing internet-based information spaces, we can take a meaningful step toward countering the stigma and silence that many who experience such loss endure, facilitate coping, and make space for diverse pregnancy narratives in our society. Objective This study’s objective is to provide a characterization of internet-based information behavior after pregnancy loss. Methods We examined internet-based information behavior after pregnancy loss through 9 in-depth interviews with individuals residing in the United States. We analyzed the data by using open and axial coding. Results We identified the following three themes in relation to participants’ information behavior in internet-based spaces: needed information types, information-related concerns, and information outcomes. We drew from information behavior frameworks to interpret the processes and concerns described by participants as they moved from recognizing information needs to searching for information and to using information and experiencing outcomes. Specifically, we aligned these themes with information use concepts from the information behavior literature—information search, knowledge construction, information production, information application, and information effects. Participants’ main concerns centered on being able to easily find information (ie, searchability), particularly on topics that had already been covered (ie, persistence), and, once found, being able to assess the information for its relevance, helpfulness, and credibility (ie, assessability). We suggest the following design implications that support health information behavior: assessability, persistence, and searchability. Conclusions We examined internet-based information behavior in the context of pregnancy loss, an important yet silenced reproductive health experience. Owing to the prevalence of information seeking during pregnancy, we advocate that generic pregnancy-related information spaces should address the needs related to pregnancy loss that we identified in addition to spaces dedicated to pregnancy loss. Such a shift could not only support those who use these spaces to manage pregnancies and then experience a loss but also help combat the silence and stigma associated with loss and the linear and normative narrative by which pregnancies are often represented.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Internet-Based Information Behavior After Pregnancy Loss: Interview Study

Andalibi¹,

Bowen²

2022

JMIR Form Res

Self Cite

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“…This leaves a lack of possibilities for tracking the multiplicity of imaginary, sexualized, gendered, and technologically augmented bodies (Kroker, 2012). Even in a merit of apps that are specifically geared towards pregnancy tracking, pregnancy loss cannot be accounted for (Andalibi, 2021). This means that users need to delete their app to avoid the continuation of visualization of their lost pregnancy and to stop receiving notifications on the progress of growth.…”

Section: Ecologies Of Becoming Fertilementioning

confidence: 99%

Fertile Becoming: Reproductive Temporalities with/in Tracking Technologies

Reime,

Cohn,

Tsaknaki

2023

FemTech

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Through close analysis of fertility and menstrual cycle tracking apps, this contribution explores how reproductive bodies, and their temporalities are understood, made and reshaped with and through technologies. We rethink reproductive temporalities through the lens of Kafer's (2013) and Forlano's (2017) notion of queer/crip time to account for the different and individual temporalities of bodies. By tuning into the everyday rituals and temporalities that emerge when living with real-time data around sociocultural norms of reproduction (Forlano, 2017), we make visible how fertile bodies are in a constant state of becoming. Empirically, we home in on the processes of becoming or unbecoming fertile and engagements of self-tracking as well as practices of self-care by drawing on data inquired through digital ethnographic methods. To contextualize the analysis within broader, (sub-)cultural imaginaries of reproductive futures, we combine walkthroughs of apps (Light et al., 2018) with analysis of discussions and data-sharing practices on social network sites dedicated to fertility tracking and queer/non-binary experiences of reproduction.

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