Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infertility: A short secular and religious history Loudmouth Theology

Reproductive loss has been spoken about throughout history and each era has interpreted it in different ways. This episode investigates four different historical approaches and the implications that their interpretation has on women and their bodies. As reproductive loss is a modern conception, I have organised each cultural response to first address infertility and subsequently address miscarriage and stillbirth. The four different approaches that we will be investigating are the Hebrew Bible, the rabbinic tradition, the New Testament and early-Christian tradition and, finally, modernity. These different investigations will demonstrate that the interpretation of reproductive loss is not monolithic but is multifaceted and diverse.

I highly recommend the following charities if you wish to find support for miscarriage, stillbirth or infertility.

-https://www.miscarriageassociation.org.uk/

-https://www.mariposatrust.org/

-https://resolve.org/support/managing-infertility-stress/coping-techniques/

-https://www.sands.org.uk/about-sands/our-work/supporting-parents

I would also highly recommend the following books (I don't earn anything from these links):

-Reconceiving Infertility: Biblical Perspectives on Procreation and Childlessness by Candida Moss and Joel S. Baden https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reconceiving-Infertility-Perspectives-Procreation-Childlessness/dp/0691164835

-The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy: A History of Miscarriage in America by Lara Freidenfelds https://www.amazon.co.uk/Myth-Perfect-Pregnancy-History-Miscarriage/dp/019086981X

-The Baby Loss Guide: Practical and compassionate support with a day-by-day resource to navigate the path of grief https://www.amazon.co.uk/Baby-Loss-Guide-day-day/dp/1409185435

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