Partners of miscarriage sufferers ’ignored’

The partners of women who miscarry often feel invisible, ignored and sidelined during and after miscarriage - and unable to talk about their own feelings of loss and pain - according to new findings from UCL and the Miscarriage Association. This represents a very large group of people who may require additional help and support, as more than 1 in 5 pregnancies end in miscarriage and a further 2% are ectopic - when a fertilised egg implants itself outside the womb. The Miscarriage Association is today launching a public awareness campaign, 'Partners Too', to highlight the issue and direct those affected to sources of help and information. UCL researchers carried out in-depth's with 160 partners, who reacted to the miscarriage(s) with emotions such as sadness (85%), grief (63%) and shock (58%). 58% said they struggled to concentrate, 47% reported sleep problems, and 48% said it affected their work. However, 46% of partners didn't share all of how they were feeling with their wife or girlfriend for fear of saying the wrong thing or causing her further distress. 22% didn't talk about any feelings of loss and pain with their partner.