A new study reveals that one in three women experiences post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after losing a baby in early pregnancy. Guardian readers have shared their harrowing experiences, highlighting the profound psychological impact of miscarriage.
One reader described having three miscarriages in 2018, all before 12 weeks, leading to severe anxiety, flashbacks, and sleep disruption. She was rushed to hospital with heavy bleeding but found medical professionals ill-equipped to address her mental health needs. Only after self-referring for cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) months later did she receive adequate support.
Another reader recounted an ectopic pregnancy four months before her wedding, requiring surgery that removed a fallopian tube. She lamented the use of terms like 'bundle of cells' to downplay the loss, saying: 'It was a dream to me to be pregnant. It will always break my heart.'
A third reader suffered six first-trimester miscarriages, experiencing vivid flashbacks, nightmares, and panic attacks triggered by menstrual bleeding or the sight of blood. She sought private therapy after receiving no mental health support, and noted that friends and family struggled to understand her trauma.
Others described feelings of disgust, guilt, and isolation. One woman miscarried at 14 weeks and had to wait a week for the foetus to be expelled naturally, taking multiple showers daily due to feeling 'disgusting'. She now grieves daily and has decided not to pursue another pregnancy.
The stories underscore a common theme: lack of understanding from loved ones and insufficient professional support. Many readers emphasised that early pregnancy loss can be life-changing, with one stating: 'It doesn't seem to be a thing that anyone speaks about.'
