Pregnancy apps and the silencing of loss (Blog)

Bagelman, Caroline and Bagelman, Jen (2024) Pregnancy apps and the silencing of loss (Blog). Royal Geographical Society.

Text Bagelman and Bagelman RGS Blog text.docx Download (393kB)

Abstract

Pregnancy apps currently outnumber any other fitness or health app on offer; they are so ubiquitous that over 50% of pregnant people now use one. Despite the well-established fact that at least 1 in 5 pregnancies will end in miscarriage, our research suggests pregnancy apps have not been designed with this loss in mind. Attention to loss is not only lacking on these pregnancy apps but, we argue, actively contributing to silencing pregnancy loss. In framing pregnancy as a straightforward progression towards birth and emphasising self-care practices to mitigate risk, these apps largely erase the reality of loss and deepen feelings of grief and alienation for those who experience it.

Item Type:	Other
Faculty / Department:	Faculty of Education and Social Sciences > School of Education
Depositing User:	Caroline Bagelman
Date Deposited:	21 May 2025 14:36
Last Modified:	21 May 2025 14:36
URI:	https://hira.hope.ac.uk/id/eprint/4661

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