After early pregnancy loss, 'what if' thinking affects 72% within first week

June 5, 2026 - 03:30

When a person goes through a traumatic experience, they often find themselves thinking that what happened could have been different or even avoided. This process, known as counterfactual thinking, is a common psychological response. A new study reveals that in the first week following an early pregnancy loss, 72 percent of individuals report engaging in this kind of "what if" thinking.

The research looked at how people mentally replay the events leading up to a miscarriage, often imagining alternative outcomes. These thoughts can be both upward, focusing on how things could have been better, and downward, imagining a worse scenario. Upward counterfactuals, such as "what if I had rested more" or "what if I had gone to the doctor sooner," are especially common and can lead to feelings of guilt and self-blame.

While such thinking is a natural part of processing grief, the study highlights how intense and pervasive it can be in the immediate aftermath. For many, these thoughts fade over time, but for some, they may persist and contribute to prolonged emotional distress. The findings underscore the need for compassionate support and mental health resources for those coping with early pregnancy loss, as the psychological impact can be as significant as the physical one.