ABSTRACT
The final chapter weaves together our previous discussions to explain the interconnections between minority stress and biopsychosocial reproductive outcomes. Using the concept of allostatic load and the minority stress framework, the chapter connects psychological, sociological, and biomedical findings to understand why health inequalities are present. LGBTQ+ parents have a higher risk of biosystem dysregulation (ie, allostatic overload) because of how stigma and discrimination cascade through the body. Adaptation, and other resilience responses, can offer some protection against internalising stressors. However, macro-level stressors, such as exclusionary policies, are still present, are slower to change, and require more physical and emotional work for parents to overcome. Thus, simply accessing care can redouble the preventable, negative influences on LGBTQ+ gestational parent health and well-being. Thinking about how to lessen minority stressors to reduce the risk of allostatic overload (ie, biosystem dysregulation) gives professionals a framework to improve their health care knowledge and services through understanding the importance of adapting routine antenatal and postpartum care. By establishing an interdisciplinary understanding of the impact of exclusionary and detrimental practices, it is possible to chart a path forward for research and care.
