Exploring the Relationship Between Miscarriage and Depression

Abstract

Background: Miscarriages are a common outcome of pregnancies, with approximately 15–20% of clinically recognized pregnancies resulting in miscarriages. While the physical complaints associated with a miscarriage are routinely and easily addressed, the psychological impact of a miscarriage is often overlooked. Previous research has demonstrated poor psychological outcomes in women who have miscarried. Objective: This review aims to explore the relationship between miscarriage and depression. Methods: A structured literature review was conducted to understand the association between miscarriage and depression. Articles were retrieved by searching the databases SCOPUS and PubMed with the following key terms: depression, miscarriage, psychological consequences, and spontaneous abortion. Articles published in North America between 1990 and 2015 were included. The search was limited to articles published in the English language. Results: The literature search resulted in fifty-five articles. Eight articles of the fifty-five articles met the inclusion criteria. Of the eight articles, three were literature reviews and five were cohort studies. Conclusion: The literature suggests that depressive symptoms frequently occur in women who have miscarried. Further research is required as there is a lack of high quality study designed research on this topic.