Understanding Disenfranchised Grief in the Context of Miscarriage, Infant Loss, and Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR)

Grief is often associated with the loss of a loved one, but what happens when society doesn’t acknowledge or validate your grief? This is the reality for many who experience disenfranchised grief—a type of grief that is minimized, misunderstood, or dismissed. In the context of miscarriage, stillbirth, infant loss, termination for medical reasons (TFMR), and infertility, disenfranchised grief can leave individuals feeling isolated and unsupported. This blog explores how disenfranchised grief uniquely impacts those facing reproductive loss and infertility, the emotional toll it takes, and how we can provide better support to those navigating these profound, yet often overlooked, losses.