Relationship Instability Following Pregnancy Loss or Infertility

Fertility barriers can have profound impacts on individual psychosocial outcomes, but less is known about long-term impacts on couple relationships. Logistic regression analyses examining perceived relationship stability and relationship dissolution following infertility or pregnancy loss were conducted using a nationally representative sample of 3,407 U.S. women ages 25-45 who were in a heterosexual married or cohabiting union. Results indicate experiencing infertility in addition to pregnancy loss is a unique stressor for perceptions of previous or current relationship instability compared to those with no fertility barriers. Despite perceptions of relationship instability, the experience of fertility barriers was not associated with relationship dissolution. These findings have important implications for practice, as mental health providers can play a vital role in helping couples communicate better as a couple about infertility and pregnancy loss and cope with potentially traumatic experiences related to fertility barriers to reduce potentially long-term adverse impacts on the couple relationship.