Miscarriage is an emotional and heartbreaking experience for any family. It is estimated that 1 in 4 pregnancies end in miscarriage in the first three months. Although miscarriage occurs frequently, it is one of the most misunderstood complications that can affect a pregnancy. Sometimes there is an underlying cause, but for most women, we don’t know why a miscarriage happened.
Most miscarriages occur early in pregnancy. Often, it’s before you even announce you’re pregnant. For this reason, a miscarriage can cause feelings of isolation and loneliness, alongside sadness and grief. There’s a whirlwind of emotions you can feel after a pregnancy loss – could postpartum depression be one of them?
Here’s what you need to know about depression after a miscarriage and how to find support when you’re grieving.
Depression after miscarriage
When a miscarriage occurs, it’s normal to feel a myriad of emotions. Many people become attached to their unborn baby once they find out they are expecting. A misconception about pregnancy loss is that the grief will be less if the pregnancy was not so far along. This idea is far from the truth, and it is not unusual to go through a period of mourning – no matter how early the loss occurred.
Immediately after a miscarriage, most women go through a period of intense sadness and grief. Around 6 weeks, these feelings may begin to decrease in intensity and continue to improve over the next several months. It is difficult to identify depression in this early stage of bereavement because the symptoms of grief and depression are so similar. But research shows that almost 20% of women that will miscarry will show signs of depression.
Whether you have a miscarriage or give birth to a full-term baby, hormones drop when you’re no longer pregnant. This change in hormone levels isn’t as drastic after a miscarriage, but any change can send your emotions into a downward spiral. Along with hormonal imbalances, you’re grieving more than just the physical loss of a baby. You also mourn the dreams and future you had begun to imagine together.
Signs of depression after miscarriage
Experiencing grief after a miscarriage is a normal and expected response. However, sadness and depression are very similar. Both include symptoms of sadness, crying, and changes in sleeping and eating. If symptoms continue to worsen over time or if they interfere with your ability to go about your daily routine, you may be depressed.
Common signs of depression include:
- Persistent sad or anxious mood
- Feelings of hopelessness, guilt or anger
- Loss of interest in hobbies or pleasures
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping or sleeping too much
- Changes in appetite and weight
- Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of harming yourself or others
Not everyone with depression will have all the symptoms. Suicidal thoughts or attempts to harm yourself should be dealt with immediately. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available from Suicide and crisis hotline. Just call 988. Someone is there to talk to you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
How long can depression last after a miscarriage?
Depression after a miscarriage can sometimes last anywhere 1 to 3 years after the loss. This is partly because the topic of abortion is not discussed enough in today’s society. It is taboo, leaving many women to suffer in silence because they feel alone and misunderstood. The burden of seeking help is on the person who has had the miscarriage, and many times health care providers do not adequately screen women for depression. Because miscarriages happen so often, women can feel overlooked when it comes to their mental health afterward.
Another miscarriage misconception is that the grief of a loss will magically disappear if you can successfully conceive again. In fact, women are more likely to suffer from postpartum depression and anxiety during a pregnancy if they have previously miscarried.
Ways to deal with depression after miscarriage
Treatment for depression will vary depending on your symptoms and how severe they are. You and your healthcare provider will discuss the options that work best for you. Treatment may involve talking to a therapist, taking antidepressant medication, or a combination of both.
Be sure to tell your healthcare provider if you are trying to get pregnant again. They will know which medicines are okay for you to take if you become pregnant. Don’t assume you can’t take medication if you’re trying to conceive. Sometimes it is better for you to take an antidepressant than not.
If you or someone you know has suffered a miscarriage, try Pink Stork’s Pregnancy Loss Recovery Pack. This package comes with us Total Women’s Multius Care teaand us Postpartum Sitz Bath which are all designed to help your body after a pregnancy loss
Anxiety after a miscarriage
In addition to depression, worry is another common feeling you may have after a miscarriage. Miscarriages often occur suddenly and without a known cause. This can make you feel unsure about your body’s ability to get pregnant in the future and carry a healthy baby to term. Research has shown it anxiety after miscarriage is more likely than depression for a full year after the loss.
Getting pregnant again can also be stressful. Because you have lost a pregnancy in the past, you may be so worried that you will lose this pregnancy too. It can be hard to feel joy and excitement about your current pregnancy because you are so filled with worry.
Ways to help you cope after a miscarriage?
While there is nothing anyone can say or do that will ease the pain, the best way to help you cope after a miscarriage is to surround yourself with a good support system. Find someone you trust and who understands your feelings. Lean on them when you’re having a rough day.
Sometimes it’s hard for people who haven’t experienced a miscarriage to fully understand what you’re going through. If you’re having trouble building your support system with people you know or don’t feel comfortable talking to family and friends, you can always turn to online support groups. SHARE and International Postpartum Support are two of the many organizations available to help you navigate this incredibly difficult time in your life.
Most importantly, know that the feelings you have about your miscarriage are valid and you are not alone. There is no timeline for when you should be done grieving a pregnancy loss. If you struggle with depression, there is help available. Don’t hesitate to talk to your healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
