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The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Conceptualizing Reproductive Loss: Clinical Implications of the Narratives of Gestational Surrogates in the USA

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Abstract

Reproductive losses experienced by gestational surrogates, who do not share a genetic connection to the child they are carrying, may not be acknowledged or treated as compassionately as women who lose their “own” pregnancies. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 gestational surrogates from diverse religious backgrounds. Grounded theory analysis of data included line-by-line coding, and emergent themes were identified. The results suggest that understanding and utilizing the religious/spiritual beliefs of a gestational surrogate may be one way for health professionals to provide implications counseling prior to surrogacy and also as a means to help process and grieve losses that may occur within surrogacy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, 136 Moore Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA

    M. P. Riddle

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  1. M. P. Riddle
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Correspondence to M. P. Riddle.

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This study was submitted to the Institutional Review Board of The Pennsylvania State University and designated as exempt. Consent information was given at the beginning of each interview, and verbal informed consent was documented for each subject.

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Riddle, M.P. The Role of Religion and Spirituality in Conceptualizing Reproductive Loss: Clinical Implications of the Narratives of Gestational Surrogates in the USA. J Relig Health 60, 282–294 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01076-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-01076-7

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