How Might a Miscarriage Impact Your Marriage?

In this article, we’ll be discussing how a miscarriage might impact a marriage…

A miscarriage is a great tragedy that can happen to any couple at any point. The devastating situation of losing an unborn child can have severe emotional and mental impacts for both partners, not to mention physical effects for the mother in certain instances.  

However, one thing that people often don’t consider is the impact of a miscarriage on their marriage. It’s very normal for large amounts of grief, pain, anger, and misplaced aggression to exist within a relationship after a miscarriage. 

Unfortunately, this does not often bode well for the relationship. In some cases, divorce financial settlement solicitors may be needed. So, how can a miscarriage impact your marriage? 

What is a Miscarriage? 

A miscarriage, otherwise known as a spontaneous abortion, is the unexpected ending of a pregnancy in the first 20 weeks of gestation. In every 100 pregnancies, between 10 and 15 of those pregnancies are miscarriages. This means that roughly 10 to 15% of all women will experience a miscarriage at some point during their lives. 

The Impact of a Miscarriage 

Losing a pregnancy can be an emotionally devastating experience. It can take time to recover both emotionally and physically. Miscarriages are often difficult events because sometimes you don’t know it has happened, but other times they can cause physical pain or even become life-threatening. The baby is not meant to die in the womb, and when it does, it can upset the delicate balance of biological processes inside the woman. 

However, the more concerning issue long-term, and the topic of today’s discourse, is the emotional and mental problems that can arise as a result of a miscarriage and the subsequent strain this can place upon a marriage. Put simply; miscarriages can make or break a relationship. 

This tragic event can have serious repercussions for the relationship between two people. It’s easy for one person to become consumed by grief or for another to become angry. They’re not angry with their partner, they’re mad at the situation, but that aggression and anger can become misplaced. Some people start to blame themselves for what’s happened, believing it to be a genetic predisposition to miscarriages, a lifestyle choice that they made, or simply unviable reproductive material from either partner.

It’s not difficult to see how this can quickly spiral and get out of control. Partners become angry and grieving and often start to close themselves off from each other. They become consumed by trying to deal with what’s happened, and their relationship begins to suffer. Some people review their entire lives after miscarriage and decide they no longer want what they have. 

Miscarriage and Divorce 

There is a notable percentage of couples who experience irreconcilable differences following a miscarriage. Married couples who experience a miscarriage are 22% more likely to divorce. Couples who experience stillbirth are 40% more likely to divorce. 

It’s not difficult to work out this is a life-changing event, and the consequences can be massive for the couple. Sometimes, it creates a distance and a pain so deep that the relationship can have a longer function. If that happens, it can be necessary for one or both parties to heal from the event by leaving the relationship, taking the time to fix themselves, and then building something new elsewhere. 

Miscarriage Can Impact Divorce

Trying to understand the pain of a miscarriage is almost impossible for a couple that hasn’t experienced it. It can literally destroy a relationship simply due to how visceral and painful the event can be. Losing a prospective child can feel like losing a child that you’ve known and loved for years. It’s the greatest pain that a parent can face, and it happens all too often.  

There are numerous studies across the web which will validate the idea that couples who go through a miscarriage together can be more likely to experience a divorce. It’s an upsetting fact of life, but sadly it does happen. 

Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a trained legal professional. Be sure to consult a family lawyer/solicitor if you’re seeking advice on seperation. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.