Miscarriage can cause PTSD, study finds

A BMJ Open study on nearly 90 women attending a pregnancy clinic at Imperial College London has warned that women who have had a miscarriage are at risk of developing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

At the early pregnancy loss clinic, a third of the women were found to have PTSD symptoms, a disorder which can develop after a very stressful, frightening or distressing event, or a prolonged traumatic experience.

Figures show that as many as one in four pregnancies is thought to end in a miscarriage - loss of a pregnancy during the first 23 weeks.

All women get screened for depression at their six-week check, following a health pregnancy. However, following a miscarriage, there are no routine emotional checks.

Dr Jessica Farren, who carried out the study said that although only a minority might have full-blown PTSD, many will suffer from moderate-to-severe anxiety.

"It's the tip of the iceberg really. There will be a huge number of women who would still benefit from some support. But the NHS isn't geared up for it.

"Once we've looked after these women clinically and discharged them, there's no real opportunity to check how they are coping emotionally."