Pregnancy loss may lead to post-traumatic stress disorder: study

According to a new study, most women who suffer a miscarriage or an ectopic pregnancy may be at risk of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The research carried out by experts from Imperial College London found out that almost four in 10 women (38 per cent) in their group met the criteria for probable PTSD three months after suffering from miscarriage.

113 women took part in the study, that was published in the journal BMJ Open, filling in questionnaires about their thoughts and feelings after losing a baby.

According to the report, all of the women had attended the Early Pregnancy Assessment Unit at Queen Charlotte's and Chelsea hospital, West London, for symptoms such as pain or bleeding, while just under half of the women had suffered a previous miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

The study showed that most women had suffered a miscarriage, while a fifth had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, where the fertilised egg begins to grow outside the womb.

Among the women who had suffered miscarriage, 45 per cent of them had symptoms of PTSD at the three-month mark, while 18 per cent of the ectopic pregnancy group felt the same.

The women with PTSD reported regularly re-experiencing feelings associated with the pregnancy loss, and suffering intrusive or unwanted thoughts about it.

Some says they suffered nightmares or flashbacks, while others went out of their way to avoid family members or friends who were pregnant.

Almost one in three of the women said the PTSD symptoms had impacted on their work, while 40 per cent of the women felt their relationships had been affected.

Lead author of the research, Dr Jessica Farren, said: 

"We were surprised at the high number of women who experienced symptoms of PTSD after early pregnancy loss.

"At the moment there is no routine follow-up appointment for women who have suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

"We have checks in place for postnatal depression, but we don't have anything in place for the trauma and depression following pregnancy loss.

"Yet the symptoms that may be triggered can have a profound effect on all aspects of a woman's everyday life, from her work to her relationships with friends and family" she added.