I composed music about infertility and pregnancy loss, then performed it in a Pittsburgh hospital
1 in 4 known pregnancies in the US ends in loss. A composer explains how those numbers, along with doctors’ expertise, became a 60-minute chamber work.
One in Four, One in Eight is a multidisciplinary performance that combines the human experience of infertility and pregnancy loss with scientific perspectives. The piece, composed by Kathleen Pukinskis, was premiered in October 2025 at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, where a Steinway piano was delivered for the event. The observance of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month arrives amid concerns over federal funding cuts to reproductive health research.
The performance explores the emotional and physical aspects of infertility and pregnancy loss, using four movements that correspond to stages and experiences common in these situations. The first movement, "Antecedent," sets the stage with a bright and hopeful tone, while the second, "Fissure to Flow," delves into the challenges of assisted reproductive technologies.
The third movement, "Somatic Drift," deals with loss and uncertainty, while the final movement, "Fortified," focuses on the practical and emotional costs of these experiences. The performance also incorporates artwork, choreography, and narration based on interviews with reproductive care providers and research from reputable sources.
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