Miscarriage and Depression: 5 Healing Tips from a Therapist
Mothers can expect to experience the same grief-based emotions as any other major loss after a miscarriage, or pregnancy loss. This is usually accompanied by shock and denial. Then, there are other complex emotions that can occur.
These
emotions could include guilt, shame, anger, sadness, confusion or betrayal. Some
mothers may feel relief if they have negative feelings about their pregnancies.
These
common signs can be identified and managed. You can also honor your loss by
being able and able to recognize them. This article will explain what to
do if you are experiencing depression after miscarriage.
1. Recognize the potential signs of
depression that may be caused by a miscarriage
After
experiencing a miscarriage/pregnancy loss, women may have the following
symptoms of depression:
- Sadness
- Hopelessness
- Inappropriate
guilt
- Activity
loss can cause you to lose your joy
- Difficulty
eating and sleeping
- Feeling
irritable/on edge
- To avoid
any questions about pregnancy, social isolation
Some
other symptoms include:
- Anger - Women can also feel anger
towards their medical professionals or partners.
- Anxiety - Many women experience
anxiety after miscarriage, especially if they are trying to conceive
again.
- OCD - Some women might develop
obsessive compulsive behavior to try to find out why they lost their baby
or prevent further miscarriages.
2. Recognize that grief is an integral
part of healing
It
is common to grieve after a major loss. This process can take a different
length depending on the time that the woman was pregnant and if IVF or any
other processes were used. Talking to a licensed perinatal counselor can
help you decide if your grief is temporary or turning into depression.
It
is not uncommon for women who have had to deal with fertility issues to
experience depression/anxiety symptoms more often, because of the stress
associated with fertility treatment.
3. After miscarriage, communicate as
much with your partner as you can
After
a pregnancy loss, communication is crucial. Sometimes partners may feel
guilty and blame one another. This may be revealed or hidden.
One
partner, or both, may avoid talking about the loss. This can lead to loneliness
and make it harder for grieving partners. Couples might be embarrassed or
reluctant to share their loss with family and friends. This can lead to social
isolation. Each partner may grieve in a different way, which can lead to
conflict if the other feels that he or she "doesn’t care" or vice
versa.
This
can make isolation worse. Couples should try to maintain physical and intimate
connection, such as scheduling dates nights and spending time together. It
is important for couples to attend medical appointments together in order to
show support and investment.
It
is also a good idea to seek out couples counseling to help you navigate through
these difficult times.
4. Get professional help if you have
anxiety issues
It
is best to find a therapist that has completed trainings in perinatal depression, and who is
certified in cognitive-behavioral,
or interpersonal treatment. These
are the best approaches for working with this population, according to
research.
You
may find it helpful to include other techniques such as mindfulness meditation
and yoga, or meditation management.
5. supports available online and in
person
Online
and in-person support groups can prove to be extremely helpful. Journaling
or blogging can be a great way to express your grief and loss emotions.
If
you're a friend, family member, or relative of someone who has lost a baby, it
is a great idea to offer support, to make plans to take the couple out for a
meal, or to do some errands. If they are open to sharing their
experiences, loved ones who have lost a child can provide valuable insight. Asking
the couple what help they require can be very helpful. The couple
can then advocate for themselves in a way they feel is within their reach.
We strive to always provide quality medical care with the
utmost respect and understanding for the needs of our patients. Expectant
mothers can get all the care they need before, during, and after delivery from
the UrgentWay doctors for women health. We have provided the highest quality
care to women for over a decade. Our highly-skilled healthcare providers
provide compassionate care to women with routine pregnancies, customizing
prenatal care to their unique health needs, personal philosophies, and
preferences. Our renowned maternal-fetal medicine program is led by academic
leaders who have advanced knowledge of pregnancy complications
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