Stressed out, Exhausted, Sore, On Edge

The prevalence of anxiety after a pregnancy loss

Approximately 20% of individuals are diagnosed with an anxiety disorder after pregnancy loss. According to the DSM-5, anxiety is defined as excessive worry, difficulty controlling worry, and experiencing significant distress. The worries are accompanied by restlessness, feeling on edge, easily fatigued, difficult concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.

But, why do we experience anxiety after a pregnancy loss? Typically, people expect to experience sadness, grief, anger. But anxiety? How does anxiety play into my emotions after a pregnancy loss?

Why Am I Anxious?

As my fourth miscarriage started, my doctor said, “really, there isn’t anything we can do. Ever. To stop a miscarriage.” This was an experience that was outside of my control. I sat and watched the baby’s heartbeat grow more and more faint. I watched my future, hopeful child die, and there was nothing I could do about it.

We feel anxious after a pregnancy loss because we have lost control. We feel unsafe and insecure, and our hopes are dashed. We want to save our pregnancy, save our loves and our family. And yet, we are powerless. Thus, anxiety is our attempt to control the uncontrollable.