News Release

Risk from getting pregnant too soon after a stillbirth

Peer-Reviewed Publication

BMJ

Stillbirth as risk factor for depression and anxiety in the subsequent pregnancy: cohort study

Women may need to wait a year before trying to conceive again after a stillbirth, according to a paper in this week's BMJ.

Hughes et al followed the progress of 60 women who were pregnant following a stillbirth, and 60 women having their first baby. The women who conceived less than 12 months after the stillbirth were significantly more anxious and depressed during pregnancy than other mothers and were again depressed a year after the birth of their live baby.

The BMJ paper says: "As there are problems for mother and infant associated with high anxiety and depression during and after pregnancy, there may be an advantage in waiting 12 months before the next conception."

Women who conceived more than 12 months after the loss of their stillborn baby were similar to the "control" women in the study who had not suffered a stillbirth. The women who became pregnant at least a year after the stillbirth had a lower trait anxiety a year after the next birth.

A key message from the BMJ paper is: "Women may need a year to mourn the lost child before beginning another pregnancy, or women who choose to conceive sooner may be intrinsically more vulnerable to depression and anxiety." Studies consistently report that about 50% of women become pregnant within 12 months after loss. Hughes et al note that most women who went ahead quickly with another pregnancy did not experience high levels of anxiety and depression, so for some parents other considerations may outweigh the possible risk of psychological symptoms.

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Contact:

Dr P.M.Hughes, Department of Psychiatry, St George's Hospital Medical School, London



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