Reproducing Guilt: Challenging the “Inappropriateness” of Guilt after Pregnancy Loss

Feelings of guilt have been reported by (formerly) pregnant people, for example, after miscarriage, stillbirth, induced abortion, or preterm birth. However, it is sometimes held that they should not feel that way. In this article, the authors (a) scrutinize attributions of guilt, (b) problematize philosophical approaches to guilt—especially Thomas Scanlon’s approach—and moral emotions more broadly, and (c) criticize such theoretical-normative interventions in light of sociopolitical expectations surrounding pregnancy. They conclude that, rather than denouncing experiences of guilt in perinatal contexts as “inapt” or “misplaced,” the norms and expectations that trigger and cultivate such feelings should be addressed.