Understanding the Influence of Cultural Norms and Beliefs on Black Canadian Women's Journey After Pregnancy Loss

The experiences and meanings assigned to pregnancy loss are deeply influenced and shaped by the socio-cultural context of affected women. However, very limited studies have examined the influence of cultural norms and beliefs on how Black women make sense of pregnancy loss from a Canadian context. This study explored ways cultural norms and beliefs influenced Black Canadian women's journey after pregnancy loss. An exploratory qualitative design was used as part of a larger study exploring the experiences of Black Canadian women following a pregnancy loss. We used purposive and snowball sampling to recruit 32 Black Canadian women with lived experiences of pregnancy loss. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis was used to organize the data into meaningful themes. Five themes shedding light on the experiences of Black Canadian women were identified: (i) living with the stigma, (ii) grappling with the silence, (iii) enduring the shame, (iv) dealing with the stereotype, and (v) calling for awareness. These experiences impeded emotional healing, access to community support, and reintegration into family and community. Participants also called for greater awareness to address the cultural myths and misconceptions surrounding pregnancy loss. The findings underscore the need to create a culturally sensitive awareness campaign to foster greater understanding about the causes of pregnancy loss, reduce the stigma associated with the experience, and facilitate open dialogue. Such actions will contribute to normalizing the experiences of pregnancy loss and increase access to community and social support.