The emotions which accompany a miscarriage are often dramatic. These feelings will vary among couples, and are different between men and women. While men have a general sense of helplessness and powerlessness, a woman may feel guilt and depression. While difficult to endure, they are considered a normal range of emotions during the grieving process. During a crisis there might be a desire or need to reach out to others. While leaning on your partner may help with coping, family and friends can be a source of strength and understanding as well. Many also find peer support groups can help them feel they are not alone in their struggle. There may be a time, however, that a couple’s need for guidance in coping with their loss extends beyond these resources and professional help becomes necessary. Both women and men individually, as well as together as a couple may feel that professional counseling is not only beneficial, but offers salvation for self and relationship.

Postpartum Depression

There exists the possibility of a different type of depression that is unique to women. It extends far beyond the bounds of sadness and guilt. It is extremely important to discuss a condition called postpartum depression for a few reasons. Some are unsure that it really exists as a disorder after the birth of a baby.  Those who do acknowledge the condition have very little information.  Unfortunately, few are aware that a woman may fall into postpartum depression even after a miscarriage. It can be difficult to recognize when a woman may have slipped beyond the “normal” grieving processes into what could be the life-threatening condition of postpartum depression. We feel it is imperative that a discussion occur within this site to raise the awareness of this very serious occurrence.

Just as a woman’s body changes dramatically during pregnancy, tremendous adjustments also occur when a pregnancy ends through birth or miscarriage. In the discussion of miscarriage it is important to recognize that whether the loss occurred naturally or medically assisted, the pregnancy has ended abruptly. The hormones which prepared a woman’s body to carry their baby and were sustained throughout the pregnancy swing dramatically causing a significant shift in her hormones. Such chemically induced mood swings make women emotional after the end of a pregnancy. Being irritable, tired, tearful, and sometimes even a bit sad are fairly normal expressions as her body struggles to return to a pre-pregnant state. Such feelings are generally mild. It is believed that approximately 10-15% of women experience a much more extreme reaction to the hormone changes.

While all women experience physical changes in their bodies after a pregnancy ends affecting her mood, a woman who has lost a baby through miscarriage faces another risk factor for serious postpartum depression. Not only must a woman endure the physical and psychological stresses that occur due to hormone changes, but they do so without any of the rewards that come with bringing their baby home. A woman may not have the support of her partner who is grieving as well. There are no excited visitors to greet a baby and give congratulations, and certainly no baby to hold and care for. She is trying to cope with not only her postpartum changes, but with the loss of their baby as well.

With the end of any pregnancy, a wide variety of “normal” feelings may occur. In addition to being irritable, tired, and gloomy, much more distressing emotions may be experienced. A woman may not always be aware when her feelings have “gone too far”, and those surrounding her need to be alert to the risk of developing postpartum depression. Immediate recognition and treatment must occur for a grieving woman who displays signs of extreme nervousness or anxiety, expresses feelings of panic, persistent or irrational fears and thoughts, severe insomnia or nightmares or intense depression. It has also been suggested that women who have had previous struggles with depression, endured infertility treatments, or are childless are at an even greater risk to develop this serious depressive disorder.

Postpartum depression can begin and spin out of control very quickly. It is considered a life threatening condition. It is however treatable and evidence suggests that professional intervention is effective in reducing or eliminating such intense emotions and behaviors.

Following the loss of a baby could be the time in a woman’s life when she needs a strong support system the most. Her world has been turned upside down and is intensified by tremendous hormonal changes. Those around her must recognize and respond quickly to this serious condition.