Pregnancy Loss May Be the Norm, Not the Exception, Expert Says
Anthropology professor and author Kate Clancy told Newsweek that many pregnancy losses are driven by biology, not personal choices.
The narrative of pregnancy often depicts a seamless progression: a positive test, an early ultrasound, a growing bump, and ultimately, a baby. However, anthropologist Kate Clancy argues in her book, Pregnancy Interrupted: The Science and Stories of How Pregnancies Really End, that this story fails to capture the reality of human reproduction.
According to Clancy, pregnancy loss may be the most common outcome. She contends that viewing a full-term pregnancy as the normative experience leads to viewing anything that deviates from this as an exception. Clancy's book delves into pregnancy as a complex biological process with developmental checkpoints. Before pregnancy can advance, eggs, embryos, and the reproductive system must repeatedly pass viability tests.
The majority of eggs are non-viable, and many embryos fail to develop due to chromosomal abnormalities or other factors. Interestingly, some embryos can correct genetic errors during early development. Clancy notes that many people experience miscarriage as a personal failure, despite scientific evidence to the contrary. She emphasizes that external factors, such as environmental pollutants and extreme stress, play a significant role in pregnancy outcomes.
Clancy's research also challenges the idea of a conflict between the mother and fetus, suggesting a more cooperative relationship. She hopes that readers will gain a deeper understanding of pregnancy loss, a private and often lonely process.
Written by urgent.news from Newsweek's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
