“Emotionally, spiritually, physically depleting”: muslim women’s experiences of pregnancy loss in the United States

Pregnancy loss is a profound and traumatic experience. Cultural and religious factors often influence coping mechanisms following pregnancy loss. However, little is known about how Muslim women living in the United States navigate this challenging event within their unique cultural and spiritual context. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Muslim women in the US who have experienced pregnancy loss. A qualitative interpretative phenomenological approach was employed. Ten Muslim women who had experienced pregnancy loss while living in the United States were interviewed. The interviews were audiotaped, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). 10 Muslim women who had experienced pregnancy loss, aged 29–49 years (mean age = 36.4; standard deviation ± 5.78). Four main themes emerged from the data: (1) Emotional and spiritual responses to pregnancy loss, (2) Relational support — spousal, family, and community responses to loss (3) Navigating healthcare insensitivity, and (4) Toward cultural and spiritually congruent care. Challenges in accessing culturally sensitive medical care were prevalent, with some women reporting feelings of isolation and misunderstanding in medical settings. The importance of family and community support was highlighted, as was the complex interplay between religious expectations and personal grief. This study reveals the complex interplay between cultural, religious, and personal factors in shaping Muslim women’s experiences of pregnancy loss in the USA. Findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive healthcare practices and the importance of religious and community support in the healing process. These findings can inform the development of culturally appropriate support services and guide healthcare providers in delivering more sensitive care to Muslim women experiencing pregnancy loss in the USA.