ABSTRACT
The Bible references Sarah, Rachel, and Hannah's barren wombs. Historically, Henry VIII's second wife, Anne Boleyn, lost her life because of her inability to produce a male heir. Although the idea that a woman's value parallels her ability to reproduce is archaic, the remnants of this concept – that femininity implies eventual motherhood – still exist. Internationally, countries with single-child or restrictive child policies now experience unintended consequences. Childless women often face judgment and stigma partnered with their grief. Because fertility struggles are often private, it leaves women open to others’ assumptions about why they remain childless. Even remarks by Pope Francis implying that childless couples are “selfish” complement some societal views. This chapter explores the contextual experiences of women experiencing infertility and reproductive loss.
