According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), about 26% of all pregnancies end in spontaneous abortion or commonly known as a miscarriage. More than just the numbers, a couple who suffered a loss due to miscarriage goes through the stages of grief. As they go through this process, many things happen inside the relationship that ultimately ends their relationship, including infidelity.
According to statistics, about twenty-two percent of a couple separate or divorce after a miscarriage, and 40 percent in stillbirths. Men and women have different coping mechanisms after losing a baby. Men suffer mentally and emotionally, which makes them more vulnerable to temptation. About 40 percent of men were greatly distressed after miscarriage and may start losing connection and intimacy with their wives, who usually grieve longer than them. In this article, there will be e deep dive into several statistics associated with infidelity after a miscarriage.
Table of Contents
How many spouses cheated on their wives after miscarriage?
According to Fincham & May’s studies, the prevalence rate of infidelity in all marriages is 20 to 25%.
Their study suggests that infidelity is a strong predictor of poor mental health, including anxiety, PTSD, and depression, which couples experience after a miscarriage. According to Tommy’s National Centre for Miscarriage Research, 1 out 5 mothers suffer from PTSD, while 1 out 12 husbands do too. Men’s emotional support is often neglected, which may drive them to channel their emotions into harmful vices, including infidelity.
70% of cheating husbands said that feeling neglected was tied to their cheating behavior.
A recent study shows that women stay more distressed after six months of miscarriage than men. In an old study from the University of Carolina in 2003, 32% of women felt more interpersonally distant from their husbands one year after a miscarriage, and 39% felt more distant sexually. When this happens, it is likely for them to seek validation from a lover to ease the feeling of being taken for granted.
What percentage of couples break up after miscarriage?
2010 Pediatrics study said that 22 percent of married or cohabitating couples who had a miscarriage were more likely to break up
The big percentage of couples who end their relationship after a miscarriage is caused by several factors, that must be dealt with on an intimate level. If the couple fails to resolve those, the relationship is more likely to fail.
Dr. Katherine Gold’s study points out that many couples become closer after a loss.
Divorce and break-up statistics after miscarriage is high. However, the chance of staying together after a loss of a baby is significantly higher than for those who gave up. Dr. Katherine Gold, associate professor at The University of Michigan said that the key to getting through miscarriage together comes down to open communication with each other or with professionals.
What percentage of couples break up after stillbirth?
2010 Pediatrics study said that 40 percent of married or cohabitating couples who had stillbirths were more likely to break up
The chance of breakup is significantly higher in stillbirths than in miscarriage. Stillbirths happen after the 20th week of pregnancy when couples are usually more invested and have higher expectation in their unborn child. This is the time when couples have already done shopping for baby gear, stock up on household essentials, etc. Couples are more emotionally attached to their unborn baby. The feelings of despair and struggles in coping after losing the baby are worsened by having seen a baby scan. Thus, the gravity of the effect of losing the baby is much heavier than in miscarriage.
Stillbirth impacts can last 10 years or more.
NCBI study in Marriage and Cohabitation Outcomes After Pregnancy Loss shows that the size and duration of the effect were substantially greater for stillbirths than for miscarriages. For miscarriages, the effects usually last for the first 2 or 3 years, while stillbirths last for a decade or more.
Who are more likely to cheat after miscarriage between men and women?
20% of men are more likely to cheat than women.
According to General Social Survey (GSS), men are generally more likely to cheat than women. Miscarriage is traumatic for both husband and wife. However, the support after miscarriage has more focused on women than men. Thus, men are often overlooked in terms of their emotional needs after the loss of pregnancy. When this happens, men are more tempted to commit infidelity to at least channel their emotions or seek validation and comfort.
Why do couples divorce after miscarriage?
Study shows that losing a baby is traumatic to both partners. The miscarriage can bring so much stress to the relationship and if left unresolved, will cause the dissolution of their marriage. The process of grief is complicated, and couples have a different coping mechanism. Although men do not suffer physically like women, they also suffer from loss. One study from the University of College London and the Miscarriage Association said that 160 husbands reported sadness, of which 63% were in despair and 58% were shocked. However, despite these numbers, the support for men is sparse, and often men are required to put their feelings aside. In the UCL survey, about 25% of couples did not talk about their feelings of loss or pain. The lack of communication between grieving couples will cause the relationship to deteriorate until they file a divorce.
