Miscarriage trauma 'is aided by internet forums'

Women coping with the mental trauma of a miscarriage find it hard to take comfort from their friends, according to new research.

The study by scientists at the Georgia Health Sciences University's Education Discovery Institute surveyed over 1,000 women and found many seek solace from other women who had gone through similar experiences via internet message boards.

"Women who have not gone through a stillbirth don't want to hear about my birth, or what my daughter looked like, or anything about my experience," said one respondent.

Researchers observed that only 50 per cent of the women had suffered a miscarriage during the last 12 months and many were still struggling to come to terms with the experience many years later.

The study's senior author Christie Palladino said the message forums can be an important resource.

Around 25 per cent of pregnancies result in a miscarriage, according to the Miscarriage Association. ADNFCR-438-ID-800774876-ADNFCR