The Trauma of Stillbirths and Miscarriages: From One Doctor’s Story to Chrissy Teigen’s
In this special American Wellness episode, Dr. Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Kwo talks about her personal experience losing a child at 38-weeks of a full-term pregnancy. She believes that conversations like this are important to have. Dr. Kwo also discusses how some women experience post-traumatic stress and cognitive behavioral therapy as a possible solution.
“Among the 6.5 million pregnancies in the United States in 2008, about 1.1 million ended in miscarriage.”
Dr. Kwo talks to WeXL Creator, Gabby Deyi, about the mental and emotional trauma from miscarriages and stillbirths. Deyi’s mother, who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and depression, experienced miscarriages prior to having her.
“Nearly 20% of women who experience a miscarriage become symptomatic for depression and/or anxiety; in a majority of those affected, symptoms persist for 1 to 3 years, impacting quality of life and subsequent pregnancies.”
Both discuss the public face of trauma and the controversy around model and influencer, Chrissy Teigen, posting about her stillbirth on September 30, 2020. Teigen is married to music artist John Legend.
“After a miscarriage, 68% of women were still upset 2 years after the event, and 64% reported that it affected decisions about subsequent pregnancies.”
Mental Health Stats
Nearly one in five U.S. adults live with any mental illness (46.6 million in 2017 aged 18 or older. 18.9% of all U.S. adults.
The prevalence of any mental illness was higher among women (22.3%) than men (15.1%).
The prevalence of any mental illness was highest among adults reporting two or more races (28.6%), followed by White adults (20.4%). The prevalence of any mental illness was lowest among Asian adults (14.5%).
Young adults aged 18-25 years had the highest prevalence of AMI (25.8%) compared to adults aged 26-49 years (22.2%) and aged 50 and older (13.8%).
--- About American Wellness ---
Produced by WeXL Org, American Wellness dives headfirst into the uncomfortable conversations surrounding mental illness and why Americans feel the way they do. We examine our past, present, and future to find the solutions that could unite and heal us. Together we heal.