Women who experience miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy should be screened for possible post-traumatic stress disorder, expert say today.
Researchers led by Dr Jessica Farren at Imperial College London, UK, surveyed 113 women who had recently experienced a miscarriage (the loss of a foetus before 24 week) or ectopic pregnancy (implantation outside of the womb).
This indicated that 38% of women reported symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder three months after the pregnancy loss.
Details appear in BMJ Open today (2 November). The team report that 45% of women who had a miscarriage, and 18% of those who had an ectopic pregnancy showed "probable" post-traumatic stress disorder.
This group was regularly re-experiencing intrusive or unwanted thoughts associated with the pregnancy loss. Nightmares or flashbacks were common, and many said this had impacted their work life and relationships.
"We were surprised at the high number of women who experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after early pregnancy loss," said Dr Farren.
"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."
Co-author Professor Tom Bourne added: "We are now investigating why some women may be more at risk than others, to help medical professionals identify who may need extra support."
Commenting on the findings, Jane Brewin, chief executive of the charity Tommy’s, said: "The message is clear: in a civilised society it is not acceptable for women to suffer in this way. Following this study there must now be added impetus to change miscarriage treatment and care."
Farren, J. et al. Post-traumatic stress, anxiety and depression following miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy: a prospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2 November
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