Miscarriage and mental health

Women Veterans

Miscarriage and mental health

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Grieving a loss after expecting to bring a life into the world can be especially difficult. Often, nothing else in a woman’s experience has prepared her for this. Other people may not know how to be supportive, so it may be difficult to talk about this loss.

There is a wide range of emotional reactions to miscarriage. Many women feel as though the baby is still inside, dream about pregnancy or about the baby, and think about the baby a great deal. Some women become depressed or anxious. Some blame themselves for the miscarriage. Women with partners may find that miscarriage makes them feel closer to their partners or creates tension in the relationship.

While depression or anxiety is normal after a miscarriage, it can be distressing and make it difficult to function at times. If you’ve had a miscarriage and are experiencing these reactions, consider speaking with your primary care provider or mental health clinician about counseling and other treatment options.

Related Links

• Mental health while planning a pregnancy
• Mental health during and after pregnancy
• Breastfeeding and mental health
• Ectopic pregnancy and mental health
• Stillbirth and mental health

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