Emotional Health After Miscarriage

Does miscarriage affect the emotional health of women?

Miscarriage affects up to 25 percent of all pregnancies, making it a common early pregnancy issue. Also known as early pregnancy loss, miscarriage can be devastating to expectant mothers. In fact, women often cope with feelings of depression and anxiety immediately after and years following a miscarriage.

How common are anxiety and depression after a miscarriage?

According to a report published in 2015, 20 percent of women showed symptoms of depression or anxiety after miscarriage. Moreover, according to the American Psychological Association, some women mourn miscarriage for much longer than expected, even after a successful birth of a healthy baby. It is also common for women to develop an overall negative outlook on pregnancy for many years after a miscarriage.

 

Emotional health after a miscarriage may vary. If you have experienced a miscarriage, you may understand that these symptoms can severely affect all aspects of your life, including work, school and social interaction.

Does miscarriage also affect the emotional health of my partner?

The event of a miscarriage certainly can affect the emotional health of your partner. For example, your partner might share or experience feelings of sadness, anger and grief — sometimes largely dismissed by others — after your miscarriage. These feelings may also affect intimacy with your partner, which can subsequently affect the well-being of your relationship.

 

Dismissal of your partner’s feelings may strain both you and your partner’s emotional health and relationship. Addressing your feelings with a trusted health care professional and your support system may help you and your partner cope with the recent loss. Partners’ feelings of distress after miscarriage may worsen if not addressed as soon as possible, and as often as necessary.

 

If you and your partner are coping or struggling with feelings of anxiety or depression after a miscarriage, the Women’s Care team is here to help. Contact our Eugene/Springfield offices to speak with a compassionate staff member and schedule an appointment.