2013/02/21 by Andrew Moscrop · 2 citations
Arts and Humanities · Psychology · Medicine · #Historical Studies on Reproduction, Gender, Health, and Societal Changes #Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health #Reproductive Health and Contraception #Miscarriage #Abortion #Perspective (graphical) #Context (archaeology) #Pregnancy #Psychology #Reading (process) #Developmental psychology #Medicine #History #Political science #Law
paper · pdf · doi:10.1136/medhum-2012-010284
openalex publication_date 2013/02/21 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
Clinical language applied to early pregnancy loss changed in late twentieth century Britain when doctors consciously began using the term 'miscarriage' instead of 'abortion' to refer to this subject. Medical professionals at the time and since have claimed this change as an intuitive empathic response to women's experiences. However, a reading of medical journals and textbooks from the era reveals how the change in clinical language reflected legal, technological, professional and social developments. The shift in language is better understood in the context of these historical developments, rather than as the consequence of more empathic medical care for women who experience miscarriage.