Music and Medicine Unite to Address Infertility and Pregnancy Loss

A multidisciplinary performance piece titled One in Four, One in Eight debuted at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, blending contemporary classical music, dance, visual art, and scientific narration to explore the emotional and physical realities of infertility and pregnancy loss. Created by assistant music professor and composer Katherine Pukinskis, the 60-minute project aimed to destigmatize experiences that are frequently kept private.

Bridging Art and Reproductive Science

The project draws its title from two prevalent public health statistics: one in four known U.S. pregnancies ends in loss, and one in eight women requires medical intervention to achieve and maintain a pregnancy. Pukinskis utilized her own experiences alongside external guidance from reproductive care providers and research institutions, including the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, to shape the work.

Dr. Gabriela Gosman reviewed the project’s narration to ensure medical accuracy. The performance was structured into four distinct movements, each preceded by spoken scientific context delivered by a narrator:

• Antecedent: Explores anticipation and the societal ideal of pregnancy, outlining the complex chain of biological events required for a live birth.
• Fissure to Flow: Examines assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and in vitro fertilization (IVF), highlighting the friction between natural biological cycles and clinical interventions, which can see up to 20 percent of IVF rounds stopped before egg retrieval.
• Somatic Drift: Focuses on the physical and emotional aspects of loss, noting that while causes can include chromosomal abnormalities, structural issues like uterine septums, or hormone imbalances, approximately half of all pregnancy losses remain unexplained due to limited research funding.
• Fortified: Acknowledges the cumulative financial, emotional, and physical tolls of fertility struggles while advocating for improvements in clinical care, such as better pain management and enhanced legislative support for ART.

Expanding the Conversation Beyond the Concert Hall

The premiere featured performances by the Agarita Chamber Players, choreography by Attack Theatre, and visual art by Morgan Overton, all created in response to the musical composition. To reduce barriers to attendance, the production offered free tickets, on-site childcare, and covered parking. Post-performance receptions also provided a platform for nonprofit community organizations to distribute support resources.

Pukinskis noted that while clinical environments remain essential for medical treatment, public artistic spaces can offer additional avenues for community learning and emotional processing around reproductive health challenges.