The Experience and Psychological Impact of Early Miscarriage

Abstract

Interviews were conducted with 27 women in the year following a first trimester miscarriage to investigate their reactions to the experience and the events surrounding it. Some aspects of medical care were reported as unsatisfactory. Little consultation was evident concerning decisions about viewing or disposing of remains following miscarriage. A range of negative emotions were experienced at the time of miscarriage. most dissipating with time. However, clinical levels of psychological distress, as measured by the General Health Questionnaire. were evident in 44% of the group some months after the event. Distress was not associated with length of pregnancy, lime since miscarriage, demographic or pregnancy-related factors. Instead, aspects of medical management, such as patient category (private care vs other) and ability to discuss miscarriage at follow-up, were significantly related to levels of psychological distress. Early miscarriage is clearly an event of considerable significance for the women concerned and needs to be treated as such by hospital and follow-up services.