Can Women Suffer From Postpartum Depression After Miscarriage
After the birth of a child, it is common for women to experience some type of mood disturbance. Typically, it is relatively mild . However, about 10-15% of women experience a more severe and disabling illness, postpartum depression. It has been suggested that women who develop postpartum depression may be more sensitive to the hormonal changes that take place after delivery and that these hormonal changes may contribute to emergence of depressive symptoms during the postpartum period.
With respect to depression after miscarraige, it is thought that some women may experience similar, although less dramatic, hormonal shifts. Whether these hormonal changes can directly precipitate an episode of depression is still unclear. However, we do know that most women report some degree of psychological distress after a miscarriage, and that about 1 in 10 women actually meet criteria for major depression. Risk factors for depression after miscarriage include a prior history of depression, having inadequate social supports and being childless. Symptoms of depression include feeling sad or blue, loss of interest in ones usual activities, and hopelessness. If any of these symptoms emerge after a miscarriage, further evaluation is necessary.
After A Miscarriage: Surviving Emotionally
First of all, we are so sorry that youve experienced a loss that has brought you to this page. We and so many women in similar situations all over the world grieve with you and want to remind you that no matter how you feel, the truth is that this is not your fault. Its important to take time after a miscarriage to heal not only physically but emotionally too.
Experiencing a pregnancy loss means that you are probably feeling more sadness than you ever thought possible. Having a miscarriage can be very difficult. The emotional impact usually takes longer to heal than physical recovery does. Allowing yourself to grieve the loss can help you come to accept it over time.
Emotional Aspects Of Miscarriage
Many women form an attachment to their baby early in the pregnancy, particularly if they’ve been trying to conceive for some time. So after a miscarriage, they’re likely to go through a period of mourning and possibly experience the same stages of grief that can accompany the death of a loved one. The stages are:
Recommended Reading: Helping Your Child With Depression And Anxiety
Psychiatric Morbidity And Subsequent Pregnancies
Between 50% and 80% of women who experience miscarriage become pregnant again. A subsequent pregnancy represents a time of intense and often conflicting emotions couples balance being hopeful, while also worrying about the risk of a repeat loss. After miscarriage, 68% of women were still upset 2 years after the event, and 64% reported that it affected decisions about subsequent pregnancies. Contrary to popular belief, becoming pregnant again is not a protective factor against depression or anxiety. Mood symptoms following a prenatal loss do not always resolve with the birth of a subsequent healthy child.
Managing prenatal care in women with a history of miscarriage is challenging. Not only are these women at increased risk for psychiatric problems, they also may struggle with maladaptive coping skills that further complicate their situation. In parents studied, mothers tend to diminish the significance of previous loss in order to remain hopeful for the current pregnancy, while fathers experience frequent thoughts about the previous loss.
How Men React To Miscarriages
Men and women often experience a miscarriage differently. Men tend to have less of an emotional attachment to the pregnancy in the early months, so they may feel less pained and grief-stricken by the miscarriage. Sometimes this can cause a misunderstanding and conflict in a marriage, since each partner tends to expect the other to react to the miscarriage in a similar way.
The important thing to remember is that mourning is a process that takes time. While some people are able to put aside their feelings and move on, others find that they need weeks or even months to be able to fully function again. Eventually, though, the pain of a miscarriage will subside and the world will indeed look brighter. But until then, it’s important to honor your feelings and to take the time you need to grieve.
Don’t Miss: Should You Force A Depressed Person To Do Things
Where Can I Find Help
If you or your partner notice that you are having signs of depression, its important to get help right away. Dont wait for things to get better. Talk to your doctor, nurse, midwife, or other trusted health care provider. Talk about what is happening to your family or friends. There are often many resources available in the community to help new mothers with postpartum depression. If you are having scary thoughts about harming yourself or your baby, call 911 or your local crisis hotline.
What Are The Symptoms
A woman who has postpartum depression may:
- Feel very sad, hopeless, and empty. Some women also may feel anxious.
- Lose pleasure in everyday things.
- Not feel hungry and may lose weight. .
- Have trouble sleeping.
- Not be able to concentrate.
These symptoms can occur in the first day or two after the birth. Or they can follow the symptoms of the baby blues after a couple of weeks.
If you think you may have postpartum depression, take a short quiz to check your symptoms:
A woman who has postpartum psychosis may feel cut off from her baby. She may see and hear things that aren’t there. Any woman who has postpartum depression can have fleeting thoughts of suicide or of harming her baby. But a woman with postpartum psychosis may feel like she has to act on these thoughts.
If you think you can’t keep from hurting yourself, your baby, or someone else, see your doctor right away or call 911 for emergency medical care. For other resources, call:
- The national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK .
- The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD .
You May Like: Does Type 2 Diabetes Cause Depression
What Are The Signs Of Depression
Depression can come on slowly. The symptoms are different for everyone. They can be mild, moderate or severe. Some of the more common signs are:
- changes in appetite, like eating too much or having little interest in food,
- changes in sleep, such as trouble sleeping or sleeping too much,
- lack of energy,
- feeling sad, hopeless or worthless,
- crying for no reason, and
- loss of interest or pleasure in activities you normally enjoy.
New moms with depression may have trouble caring for their baby. They might not want to spend time with their baby, which can lead to a baby who cries a lot.
You Will Experience Every Emotion
You will face a huge range of overwhelming emotions. One minute you are overwhelmingly sad and grieving your lost child. The next minute you are angry at the world. When you have a brief moment of happiness, you feel guilty for feeling happy.
After my loss, I was told that whatever you are feeling at this moment is exactly the way you should be feeling. This has stuck with me ever since then and I remind everyone I know of this.
Embrace every single one of the emotions and let yourself truly feel them. Happiness and sadness can co-exist, sometimes even at the very same moment. Just remember, you do not have to be sad every minute of every day for the rest of your life. Allow yourself time to grieve and do not feel guilty for any of the things you think or feel. You have been through something very traumatic and there is not one right way to handle this loss.
Don’t Miss: I Am Very Very Depressed
When Does Depression Following A Miscarriage Start
The onset of depression after a miscarriage is difficult to give a clear time frame for, as it is different for every mother, though it usually appears fairly rapidly after the end of the pregnancy. Dr. Nisha Chellam, an internal medicine doctor at Parsley Health, says that signs will be seen within one month of the end of pregnancy. âThe onset will be very acute,â she notes.
Shah admits this timeline can be hard to define due to how often depression after an EPL is overlooked. âClinical depression after miscarriage has not been well-defined and hence is often overlooked. These women frequently end up receiving minimal help. It is important that healthcare providers screen every patient who has this unfortunate outcome just like they would any mother after childbirth.â
Strategies To Cope With Miscarriage Depression
After a miscarriage, you may feel like you have failed or that your body has let you down. It is important to understand that these feelings are normal and that there is help available if you are struggling to cope. Grief can last from less than a month to a year or more, depending on the circumstances of the miscarriage. At first, the feeling is intense and all-encompassing. But as time went on, they began to give up, giving way to a period of peace, prosperity, and finally acceptance. While theres nothing you can do to speed up the grieving process, there are some simple things you can do to care for yourself while youre recovering:
Recommended Reading: Natural Supplements For Adhd And Depression
Miscarriage Depression: Coping With The Emotional Impact
Miscarriage is one of the most heartbreaking experiences a woman can go through. Not only is there the physical pain and healing process to deal with, but there is also the emotional impact that can be long-lasting. miscarriage depression can be very difficult to cope with, especially if you dont know where to turn for help. In this blog post, we will discuss the symptoms of miscarriage depression and offer some tips on how to cope with the emotional aftermath.
Contents
Your Feelings And Emotions After Miscarriage
Breadcrumb
Your partner may share many of your emotions, or none of them. Weve spoken to thousands of women about how they felt after a miscarriage. Some of the women who have shared their stories with us have talked about emotions such as grief, guilt, emptiness, fear and loneliness. You may find it reassuring to read about other womens experiences.
There is support available if youre finding it difficult to cope with your feelings. Your GP will be able to help you access the support you need.
You can also talk to a Tommys midwife free of charge from 9am5pm, Monday to Friday on 0800 0147 800 or email them at . Our midwives are also trained in bereavement support.
Recommended Reading: How To Tell People You Are Depressed
Your Email Might Trigger You
If you were on any pregnancy apps or baby related mailing lists, you will get mail and reminders. Make sure you remove yourself, or even better have a friend or family member do it, from these apps. Unsubscribe from the email and mailing lists when possible. Trust me, you do not need those constant reminders flooding your notifications or inbox.
During my pregnancies, I was part of The Bump. I had cautiously joined after one of my pregnancies that resulted in a miscarriage. After I miscarried, I had a friend login and erase the pregnancy info so I would not be subjected to seeing it. I did not want those weekly reminders of how big my baby would have been at this stage had the pregnancy progressed.
With Jasmine, I had a registry at Target. A year after we lost her, I received a piece of mail from Target with first birthday suggestions to celebrate her special day. This was a shock to me that I would still be getting mail a year later. It was not a pleasant surprise. Save yourself the heartache and just remove yourself from all of these lists.
When Should A New Mom Seek Professional Medical Treatment For Symptoms Related To Postpartum Depression
A new mom should seek professional help when:
- Symptoms persist beyond two weeks.
- She is unable to function normally she cant cope with everyday situations.
- She has thoughts of harming herself or her baby.
- She is feeling extremely anxious, scared, and panicked most of the day.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/01/2018.
References
Don’t Miss: Are Online Depression Tests Accurate
Depression After Miscarriage Can Linger
Study Shows Depression for Women Who Have Had Miscarriage Continues Even After Birth of a Baby
March 3, 2011 — Feelings of depression and anxiety following a miscarriage may last for almost three years after the birth of a healthy baby, finds a new study in the British Journal of Psychiatry.
âHealth providers and women themselves think that once they have a healthy baby after a loss, all would be fine and that any anxiety, fears, or depression would go away, but that is simply not the case,â says study researcher Emma Robertson Blackmore, PhD, an assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of Rochester Medical Center. âI honestly thought that once a woman had a baby or had gone past the stage of her previous loss, the anxiety and depression would go way, but these feelings persist.â
Of 13,133 pregnant women studied, 21% had experienced one or more previous miscarriages, 108 had one previous stillbirth, and three women had two previous stillbirths. All of the women in the study were assessed for depression and anxiety during their pregnancy and after having their babies.
Among the women who had one previous miscarriage or stillbirth, 13% were still experiencing symptoms of depression almost three years later, and about 19% of women who had two previous pregnancy losses were still depressed after 33 months, the study showed.
Emotional Healing After A Miscarriage: A Guide For Women Partners Family And Friends
A miscarriage can have deeply felt and long-lasting changes on a womans body, mind, and spirit. Because the experience affects her, it often affects each of her relationships: with her baby, partner, family and close friends, and herself.
Understanding the emotional and relational dynamics that may follow a miscarriage can help women and loved ones grieve and move closer to holistic healing in all areas of their lives.
Also Check: How To Get Better From Depression Without Medication
How Is It Treated
Postpartum depression is treated with counseling and antidepressant medicines. Women with milder depression may be able to get better with counseling alone. But many women need both. Moms can still breastfeed their babies while taking certain antidepressants.
To help yourself get better, make sure you eat well, get some exercise every day, and get as much sleep as possible. Get support from family and friends if you can.
Try not to feel bad about yourself for having this illness. It doesn’t mean you’re a bad mother. Many women have postpartum depression. It may take time, but you can get better with treatment.
When Should You Call Your Doctor
911, the national suicide hotline at 1-800-273-TALK , the National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-CHILD , or other emergency services immediately if:
- You or someone you know is thinking seriously of suicide or has recently tried suicide. Serious signs include these thoughts:
- You have decided on how to kill yourself, such as with a weapon or medicines.
- You have set a time and place to do it.
- You think there is no other way to solve the problem or end the pain.
- You hear voices.
- You have been thinking about death or suicide a lot, but you don’t have a suicide plan.
- You are worried that your feelings of depression or thoughts of suicide aren’t going away.
Seek care soon if:
- Feeling guilty.
- Feeling anxious or worried.
Your pregnancy health professional may be the first person to note and diagnose postpartum depression. This is one of many reasons why it’s important to have a medical check 3 to 6 weeks after childbirth.
Recommended Reading: Is Social Media Linked To Depression
After A Miscarriage: Healing For Families
Acknowledge the pregnancy existed.
Recognizing the baby existed, to themselves and possibly to loved ones, can help partners move forward when ready. You cant say goodbye to something you never had, said Reedy, So acknowledging that the pregnancy was there .
Consider memorializing the baby.
For many partners, a miscarriage feels like losing a child. Acknowledging pregnancy loss in a way that is meaningful to you can be a healthy, appropriate way to grieve. Sometimes you do that in your heart or in a letter or in a little family memorial, said Reedy.
Remember that another pregnancy will not shorten the grief.
Becoming pregnant again can seem like the perfect solution to any potential suffering experienced after a miscarriage. However, conceiving will not necessarily erase those painful feelings. Instead of waiting for another pregnancy to find healing, consider what can help you feel better now. What activities did you enjoy before the loss, and can you reengage with them in a manageable way?
Ppd After Miscarriage: A Fight For Legitimacy
by Jennifer Marshall |
I never really stopped to think about mamas out there who experience PPD after miscarriage, until I heard Christines story. But PPD after Miscarriage is real and should be talked about. Please read and share her story, as understanding what she went through could help another woman going through a similar situation. Thank you, Christine, for sharing. Lily will always be remembered.
This fourth pregnancy was to be different. I had Hyperemesis Gravidarum with my living child, so the severity of the disease in this pregnancy had to be a good sign. But there I was, cold jelly smeared across my abdomen, the doctor adjusting the ultrasound wand looking for a heart beat.
I cant find the baby.
There it is, I said, gesturing toward the monitor.
I cant find the heart beat.
Stunned silence. My mind raced through the ER visits for IV hydration, the Unisom and B6 that didnt help, the never ending nausea, incessant vomiting, neurological symptoms. I couldnt parent my son at all. I couldnt do anything. Even shifting position on the bed would trigger the vomit and gagging. How could it turn to this again?
The baby measures exactly right, so it died in the last 24 hours. Im sorry.
Im sorry. The words that echo in the mind of every mother who has lived that same ultrasound appointment.
We should not have to fight. We deserve to be heard and to receive compassion for our losses and correct treatment maternal mental health disorders.
Read Also: Can Depression Be Treated Without Drugs