A miscarriage can have a profound emotional impact, not only on the woman herself but also on her partner, friends and family.
Emotional impact
Sometimes, the emotional impact is felt immediately after the miscarriage, whereas in other cases it can take several weeks.
The most common emotions that are felt after a miscarriage are grief and bereavement.
Physical symptoms of grief and bereavement include:
- fatigue (tiredness)
- loss of appetite
- difficulties concentrating
- sleeping problems
Emotional symptoms of grief and bereavement include:
- guilt
- shock and numbness
- anger (sometimes at a partner, or at friends or family members who have had successful pregnancies)
- an overwhelming sense of sadness
Different people grieve in different ways. Some people find it comforting to talk about their feelings while others find the subject too painful to discuss.
Some women come to terms with their grief after a few weeks of having a miscarriage and start planning for their next pregnancy. For other women, the thought of planning another pregnancy is too traumatic, at least in the short term.
Miscarriage can also cause feelings of anxiety or depression, and can lead to relationship problems.
Getting support
If you are worried that you or your partner are having problems coping with grief, you may need further treatment and counselling. There are support groups that can provide or arrange counselling for people who have been affected by miscarriage.
Read more about dealing with loss and counselling. You can also find bereavement support services in your area.
Your GP can provide you with support and advice and the following organisations can also help:
