The loss burns harder’. The experiences of LGBTIQA+ Australians following miscarriage
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15099259 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Max Twycross (0009-0005-7102-8806, The University of Melbourne, corresponding author), Emily Thrower (0000-0001-8004-3622, The University of Melbourne), Clare Bellhouse (0000-0002-0297-9019, The University of Melbourne), Jade Bilardi (0000-0003-0461-2605, The University of Melbourne), Meredith Temple-Smith (The University of Melbourne), Meredith Temple‐smith (0000-0003-1296-9591) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Pages | 1-13 |
| Publication date | 2026-03-16 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Culture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351 |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/13691058.2026.2641512 |
| PMID | 41837735 |
| OpenAlex | W7136304396 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 47 |
Miscarriage, affecting one in four confirmed pregnancies in Australia, has well-established psychological impacts, yet support remains limited and largely centred on cisgender heterosexual experiences. As LGBTIQA+ families continue to grow in numbers and considering the disproportionately high rates of mental health diagnoses within LGBTIQA+ populations, it is critical to understand how miscarriage affects members of this community. This qualitative study explored LGBTIQA+ experiences of miscarriage through semi-structured interviews with 16 participants recruited via purposive and snowball sampling. Thematic analysis identified three key themes: 1) navigating discrimination and marginalisation; 2) compounded burden of LGBTIQA+ conception and loss; and 3) LGBTIQA+ identity facilitating connection and meaning. Participants described how pervasive discrimination and a lack of visibly inclusive services shaped their experiences and often deterred them from seeking care. The emotional impact of miscarriage was intensified by lengthy, complex, and inequitable pathways to conception, leaving grief under-recognised and further marginalised. Despite these challenges, participants drew on community resilience and shared identity to find validation and rebuild connection. Findings highlight the need for miscarriage care that is visibly affirming, knowledgeable, and inclusive of diverse LGBTIQA+ families, and point to the importance of further research across broader identities and healthcare contexts
Abortion · MEDLINE · Miscarriage · Poison control · Population · Pregnancy · African Sexualities and LGBTQ+ Issues · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Marriage and Sexual Relationships
Miscarriage matters
Mental health and gender dysphoria
Associations between loneliness and perceived social support and outcomes of mental health problems
Qualitative description – the poor cousin of health research?
Content analysis and thematic analysis
Toward good practice in thematic analysis
LGBTIQ+ access to assisted reproductive treatment
Reflecting on reflexive thematic analysis
Global prevalence of post-miscarriage anxiety, depression, and stress
Healthcare professionals’ assumptions as barriers to LGBTI healthcare
Dimensions of cisheteronormativity that influence healthcare utilization practices in LGBTQ+ populations
LGBQ activism and positive psychological functioning
LGBTQ+ emerging adults perceptions of discrimination and exclusion within the LGBTQ+ community
The damaging legacy of damage‐centered LGBTIQ+ research
The DSM-5 and the Politics of Diagnosing Transpeople
Classifying Intersex in DSM-5
Using thematic analysis in psychology
LGBTQ+ peoples' experiences of workplace leave and support following pregnancy loss
| Highly cited | No |
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