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.

 UrgentWay providers offer care for every phase of a woman’s life, from teens to childbearing years to menopause and beyond. We address women’s healthcare needs including heart health, mental health, and bone health for greater longevity and quality of life. 

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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