Long-term consequences of miscarriage: the depressive disorders and the following pregnancy

Abstract

A prospective study was conducted for 18 months following miscarriage to investigate possible long-term negative reactions and any effects of the miscarriage on subsequent pregnancy. The original sample included 144 consecutive women hospitalized for miscarriage. The first two assessments were made at 2 days and 3 months after miscarriage. This paper reports the results of self-administered questionnaires about the women's physical and psychological health at 8 months and 18 months after miscarriage. At 8 months non-pregnant women were experiencing emotional distress. The use of psychotropic medication was three times higher than in the general population of women of the same age. By 18 months the proportion of women still reporting emotional problems and having received health care for depressive disorders remained high. Successful conception after miscarriage was related to biological and psychosocial factors, e.g. no previous infertility, the desire for a child and the woman's age. Associations between the psychological status of the women after the miscarriage and the experience and outcome of a subsequent pregnancy were not clearly demonstrated. This study pointed out the need forthe women who experienced miscarriage to receive adequate support on a long-term basis.