South Asian Miscarriage Myth: Why Silence Doesn’t Mean Absence

The Myth We Need to Address

Myth: South Asian families don’t experience miscarriage, we just don’t talk about it.

Honestly, I was floored when I experienced pregnancy loss. Not just through experience itself but the mindset around keeping it quiet, around it being kept behind closed doors around it being such a taboo topic.

But then, should I have been surprised? Studying reproductive biology at a higher level, I remember the “aunties” always embarrassedly smiling and changing the topic or trying to make a joke about it, as if I was only learning about sex and not about women’s health, fertility, pregnancy and everything in between. Reproductive health has been “off-limits” in South Asian communities for the longest time. And miscarriage? Well, forget it. There’s silence around it. And when it is talked about, there were so many misconceptions. “What did you do?” “Did you have a fall?” “Was she carrying something too heavy?”

These phrases were and ARE problematic and led me to want to stand up, voice and dispel these damaging myths. Because, silence around the topic doesn’t mean absence. Research shows miscarriage is common across South Asian communities, it’s just often hidden behind layers of stigma, making it even more important to open the conversation to help those who need the support the most.

What the Research Actually Shows: Underreporting vs. Low Incidence

Cultural pressure to stay silent about reproductive loss often leads to underreporting, not fewer miscarriages. A qualitative study in rural South India found miscarriage rates of roughly 32%, yet women rarely spoke about it due to fear, shame, and community judgment.

Nationally, NFHS‑5 (2019–21) reports a miscarriage prevalence of about 11% among Indian women, but social barriers and stigma likely skew these numbers downward.

Broader South Asian contexts, including studies from Pakistan and Qatar, also show that blame and stigma often compel women to mask their loss or avoid disclosure altogether.

Why Cultural Silence Matters

When miscarriage remains unspoken, women carry their grief in silence. This silence doesn’t indicate fewer losses — it reflects deep societal pressures that invalidate their experiences.

* Grief is hidden

* Support networks are inaccessible

* Emotional health suffers in silence


Changing the Narrative

Talking about miscarriage doesn’t make it more common but what it does do is make others feel safe to talk about it. It

* Validates lived experiences

* Reduces stigma and shame

* Creates space for healing and community support


Even small gestures, like sharing stories or opening conversations in families and communities, can shift cultural norms over time. I know for me, as soon as I started sharing my experience, more and more people came to me and felt brave enough to share theirs, whether first-hand or indirect. It was powerful.

How to Support Women in South Asian Communities

- Speak openly about pregnancy loss if you’re comfortable
- Listen without judgment to someone sharing their experience
- Honor grief, even when it’s unspoken
- Educate yourself and others about the real prevalence of miscarriage

- Remember: loss is real, and healing begins with acknowledgment

Breaking the Silence

South Asian communities often carry the message that miscarriage is invisible or shameful. But research tells a different story: miscarriage is common, and grief is universal.

By naming the truth, validating experiences, and fostering conversation, we can begin to break the silence and support every woman who has experienced loss.