Miscarriage: Lack of mental health care for infertility ‘increases the trauma’

While waiting for the D&C procedure, Shelley started having cramps at home and went to the emergency room.

“I didn’t pass the D&C, unfortunately I lost the baby naturally.

“But even after that we went through the whole process, I was sent on my merry way and there was no support whatsoever.

“I was depressed for a long time after that.”

After years of trying to conceive naturally, Shelley and her husband decided to seek private fertility treatment, and the couple are now expecting a girl in just a few weeks.

But Shelley believes the lack of mental health care made getting pregnant more difficult.

“We kept asking for help, but there was nothing,” she said.

“The trauma that remains after that missed miscarriage and the way we were treated remains with you.

“Even if you do scans now, it’s tough, it brings everything back.

“Maybe if I had had support to deal with that and move on and process that trauma, maybe things would have been different.”