Miscarriage trauma

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A miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy is often a permanent trauma

For a study, researchers from Imperial College London and KU Leuven spoke with 650 women, whose pregnancy was interrupted in the first trimester by a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy. Almost a third suffered from post-traumatic stress, a fourth had anxiety and one in ten had a depression. Nine months later, the researchers surveyed the health of women again. 18% still had post-traumatic stress, 17% feelings of anxiety and 6% depression. The scientists emphasize that the ladies who participated in this study often felt themselves that they had not yet properly processed the event. Presumably many women suffer in silence, so the numbers are much higher.

Post-traumatic stress

Dr. Jessica Farren wants to make the subject even more open to discussion. “Post-traumatic stress can have a toxic effect on all facets of your life, and thus negatively influence your work and relationships, among other things. Women need to be able to openly ask for help in order to better process the event. ”Issues that may indicate post-traumatic stress are flashbacks and nightmares in which the negative experience and the associated feelings suddenly reappear. Or necessarily want to avoid the subject.

Specific treatment

"For many women who have had a miscarriage, that will be the most traumatic experience of their lives," adds Professor Tom Bourne. “This research proves that better care and follow-up are necessary to minimize the psychological impact. Recent efforts to encourage people to talk more openly about this common topic are a step in the right direction, but women with significant post-traumatic stress symptoms still need specific treatment to fully recover. Maybe we should screen women after an early pregnancy loss so that we can assist those who need the most help. ”