Language, Inclusion & Community Standards

The PPROM Foundation provides resources and support to people and families impacted by Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (PPROM).

As a parent-led organization, we recognize that language matters. Words can help people feel seen, respected, and included. They can also unintentionally exclude, stigmatize, or redefine someone's experience.

Our communications are guided by person-centered and family-centered principles and by respect for individual lived experience.

Parents & Families

We generally refer to people experiencing PPROM as parents and families. We use these terms broadly and inclusively to recognize the many people and relationships that may be part of a PPROM experience.

In clinical education, research, or healthcare contexts, we may use the term patient when it is the most accurate or appropriate terminology.

Family-Centered Language

Families take many forms. Our use of the word family may include parents, partners, spouses, co-parents, guardians, grandparents, siblings, chosen family, and other people identified by the individual as important sources of support. We avoid assumptions about family structure, relationship status, gender, or caregiving roles.

Gender-Inclusive Language

PPROM can affect people of different gender identities. We use gender-inclusive language whenever possible while recognizing that individuals may describe themselves using terms such as woman, mother, mom, parent, pregnant person, or other language.

When referring to an individual, we respect the words and pronouns that person uses for themselves.

Person-First Language

The PPROM Foundation generally uses person-first language, recognizing that a diagnosis, medical condition, disability, or pregnancy outcome is only one part of a person's experience.

When an individual or community prefers identity-first or other terminology, we respect that preference whenever possible.

Language Around Pregnancy Ending and Loss

Families use different words to describe pregnancies that end after PPROM. Terms may include pregnancy loss, miscarriage, induction, abortion, termination, or Termination for Medical Reasons (TFMR).

The words a parent chooses may reflect their medical experience, personal identity, values, culture, or how they understand what happened.

The PPROM Foundation respects the language parents and families use for their own experiences.

When speaking broadly, we may use inclusive terms such as pregnancy ending or pregnancy and infant loss. In clinical education and research, we may use the terminology used by the medical or research source.

We do not assume that one term accurately describes every family's experience.

Respecting Lived Experience

Every PPROM experience is different. We avoid language that suggests there is one correct way to experience PPROM, make medical decisions, parent, grieve, recover, or describe an outcome.

Parents and families are experts in their own lived experiences.

Their perspectives are important in education, advocacy, research, healthcare improvement, and discussions about policies and systems that affect PPROM families.

Clear & Respectful Communication

We aim to make PPROM information understandable and accessible.

Whenever possible, we:

• use plain language;

• explain medical terminology and acronyms;

• avoid stigmatizing or blaming language;

• distinguish personal experience from medical evidence;

• provide context when clinical terminology differs from community language; and

• respect cultural, spiritual, linguistic, and individual differences.

Accessibility & Inclusion

We aim to make our information and resources usable by as many people as possible.

This includes consideration of:

• accessible website and document design;

• readable formatting and color contrast;

• descriptive links and alternative text for images;

• clear language;

• the needs of people with disabilities; and

• opportunities to improve linguistic and cultural accessibility as resources allow.

Our Commitment

No single word describes every PPROM experience or every family. We aim to communicate in ways that are respectful, inclusive, clear, and family-centered, while leaving room for people to name themselves and their experiences in the way that feels right to them.