Miscarriage Has Psychological Impacts Post the Birth of a Healthy Baby

A British and US study has claimed that the psychological impacts of miscarriage can last up to several years. Women who have lost a baby are at more risk of mental distress like depression and anxiety during a subsequent pregnancy. About 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriages.

The depression and anxiety that mothers suffer might continue even after they have a healthy baby. This report has been published in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

13,000 women were part of the study. While assessing the risk of depression, researchers studied the past miscarriages a woman had. Past studies have shown that women who have had a miscarriage are more likely to experience anxiety and depression when they conceive again. However fewer studies have been carried out to find whether these symptoms fade following the birth of a healthy child. Researchers found that this depression continued nearly 3-years after the delivery of a healthy baby.

One of the researchers and Professor at the University of Bristol, Jean Golding, said, "This study is important to the families of women who have lost a baby, since it is so often assumed that they get over the event quickly, yet as shown here, many do not. This has implications for the medical profession as well as the woman and her family."

The research also underlines the need for midwives to spend time with pregnant women to discuss their worries.


Source: Medindia