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. 2013 Dec 1;39(2):98-104.
doi: 10.1136/medhum-2012-010284. Epub 2013 Feb 21.

'Miscarriage or abortion?' Understanding the medical language of pregnancy loss in Britain; a historical perspective

Andrew Moscrop
Free PMC article

'Miscarriage or abortion?' Understanding the medical language of pregnancy loss in Britain; a historical perspective

Andrew Moscrop. Med Humanit. .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Clinical language applied to early pregnancy loss changed in late twentieth century Britain when doctors consciously began using the term 'miscarriage' instead of 'abortion' to refer to this subject. Medical professionals at the time and since have claimed this change as an intuitive empathic response to women's experiences. However, a reading of medical journals and textbooks from the era reveals how the change in clinical language reflected legal, technological, professional and social developments. The shift in language is better understood in the context of these historical developments, rather than as the consequence of more empathic medical care for women who experience miscarriage.

Keywords: History; Linguistics; Medical imaging.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Annual incidence of article titles using ‘abortion’ and ‘miscarriage’ to refer to early pregnancy loss in the British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology between 1975 and 1999.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Annual incidence of article titles using ‘abortion’ and ‘miscarriage’ to refer to early pregnancy loss in the BMJ between 1975 and 2010.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Annual incidence of article titles using ‘abortion’ and ‘miscarriage’ to refer to early pregnancy loss in the Lancet between 1975 and 2010.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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