In line with President Bush's memoirs and his confession about his mother's miscarriage half a century ago, the US nation is engaged in a debate on the issue.

Fifty years ago, a miscarriage was embarrassing but `not worth discussing' incident to women for which no need existed to request psychological support. Over the years, the issue has opened up and became a matter worth of psychological research, psychotherapy and public support.

It is acknowledge that the loss of a fetus can have traumatizing effects on the affected women which need to be treated accordingly. Richard Neugebauer, member of the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, explains: "The attachment to the fetus lasts long after the pregnancy is over, for months and sometimes years."

The bond between a mother and its child further starts to develop even before the child is conceived by having thoughts and making plans for motherhood.

Research revealed the increase in depression rates among women who suffered from at least one miscarriage in their lives. Especially if the women do not conceive again after the incident, serious long-term psychological damage might be the consequence.

The treatment methods, however, are manifold and couples can choose to find support in dealing with their loss in individually appropriate ways.