Reproductive Anxiety: Understanding the experiences of LGBTQ individuals, young people, and those who have faced perinatal loss.

Part 2 of 2.

This episode delves into the multifaceted issue of reproductive anxiety. We hear from researchers and activists Sam Murphy, Jessi Winters and Mari Greenfield on their work with LGBTQ communities, young people and individuals who have faced perinatal loss.

In Part 2, the guests share their solutions and best practices for research in this space. They discuss the implications of reproductive anxiety on relationships, decision-making, and mental health, as well as the importance of trust and community engagement in research. The speakers conclude by emphasising the need for advocacy to raise awareness of reproductive anxiety and discuss the role of researchers in amplifying marginalised voices.

Jessi Winters is a social researcher with a keen interest in using participatory methods to understand complex health issues. While working at Brook, Jessi led the ⁠⁠EASY research⁠⁠ to better understand young people’s attitudes and behaviours towards condoms, contraception and sexual health. 

Dr. Mari Greenfield is a researcher at the Open University who specialises in working with marginalised groups on reproductive health issues. She usually uses qualitative and participatory methods to find out about people’s experiences.

Dr. Sam Murphy is a Senior Lecturer in Health Studies at The Open University. She has had a long-term interest in researching experiences of reproductive loss as well as, more broadly, the sociologies of human reproduction and death and dying.

Keywords: Reproductive anxiety; LGBTQ; perinatal loss; young people; contraception; mental health; research; advocacy; reproductive services.