Post-traumatic stress of women who lose a baby

Thousands of women a year suffer silently with post-traumatic stress disorder after losing a baby, research suggests.

experts at Imperial College London found 45 per cent of women who had experienced a miscarriage were displaying symptoms of PTSD three months later.

And among women who had suffered an ectopic pregnancy, 18 per cent were experiencing PTSD at the same stage.

The researchers, whose work was published last night in the journal BMJ open, said women should be screened for psychological problems after losing a child.

Many couples keep pregnancies quiet until 12 weeks – but scientists said this means that if a baby is lost in this time, the tragedy is usually kept secret.

Study leader Dr Jessica Farren added: ‘This may result in the profound psychological effects of early pregnancy loss being brushed under the carpet, and not openly discussed.’

The researchers tracked 113 women who had lost a pregnancy, and found the tragedy often had a profound effect on their work, friendships and relationships.

Miscarriage affects one in four pregnancies in the uK, usually occurring before 12 weeks. ectopic pregnancies, in which the baby begins to grow outside the womb, are much rarer, affecting around one in 90.

Post-traumatic stress disorder can occur after frightening or distressing events, and causes patients to relive the trauma though nightmares, flashbacks or unwanted thoughts and images.

The symptoms can start weeks, months or even years after an event and can cause sleep problems, anger, and depression. Women in the study reported regularly re-experiencing feelings associated with their preg- nancy loss and suffering from intrusive thoughts.

Some women also reported having nightmares or flashbacks, while others avoided anything that would remind them of their loss, including steering clear of friends and family who were pregnant.

Nearly a third said their symptoms impacted their work, while around 40 per cent said relationships with friends and family were affected. Dr Farren said women who lose a baby should be routinely offered the chance to discuss their feelings with a medical professional

She added: ‘There is no routine follow-up appointment for women who have suffered a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. We have checks in place for post-natal depression, but we don’t have anything in place for the trauma and depression following pregnancy loss.’

Jane Brewin of the charity Tommy’s, which part-funded the research, said: ‘In a civilised society it is not acceptable for women to suffer in this way ... Many women need more support following a miscarriage and the NHS needs to rethink how women are treated throughout the experience.’

Professor Tom Bourne, who also worked on the study, said the team was planning further research to help identify women most at risk.

A Department of Health spokesman said: ‘Losing a pregnancy is a tragic event and guidelines are very clear that women should be offered sensitive, responsive care and the option of follow-up support.

‘These findings are exactly why we are backing the NHS plan to revolutionise mental health care, which will mean one million more people have access to mental health care and £1billion more invested by 2020.’

‘This suffering is not acceptable’