After a miscarriage - Getting pregnant again
After a miscarriage,
it can be difficult to make the decision to try another pregnancy. It's natural
to want to get pregnant again right after you've gone through the grief of
losing a baby. However, you should wait to try again until you are physically
and emotionally ready.
When can I try to conceive after a miscarriage?
There is no ideal
time to wait before trying to conceive again, but many doctors recommend that
women wait at least a few months to improve their chances of a healthy
pregnancy. If a woman's body is not ready to endure the pregnancy by the time
of reconception, she faces an increased risk of recurrent miscarriage. It takes
time for the uterus to recover and for the endometrial mucosa to become strong
and healthy again.
It is medically safe
to get pregnant after two or three normal periods unless tests are done or the
cause of the miscarriage is treated. Some doctors generally recommend that
couples wait six months to a year before trying to get pregnant again to come
to terms with their loss, while other doctors believe there is no good reason
to wait that long.
What are
the chances of a recurrent miscarriage?
Many couples who have
had a miscarriage fear it will happen again. Fortunately, at least 85% of women
who have had one loss will have a successful pregnancy the next time, as will
75% of women who have had two or three losses.
When should you see a specialist before trying to get pregnant again?
Your doctor may refer
you to an appropriate specialist in maternal and fetal medicine, genetics, or
reproductive endocrinology who can help you get the best treatment to increase
your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
You may want to seek
help if you:
- Have two or more miscarriages
- Are over 35 years old
- Have a condition that could affect your pregnancy (such as diabetes)
- Experienced fertility problems
How do we decide when to try again?
Deciding when to try
again is up to you as a couple. Another pregnancy will not replace a lost
pregnancy, but it can help you by refocusing your attention. If there were any
medical complications during the miscarriage, be sure to discuss plans to try
again with your doctor first.
How can we feel during the next pregnancy?
Your next pregnancy
may not be as joyous as you would like because you have learned that life does
not always go according to your plans. You can't tell that this is your first
child, but it's also hard to tell that you're a parent.
Here are some tips to
make this period a little easier:
- Ask to carefully monitor your pregnancy.
- You may want to avoid early preparation for the birth of a child. Some couples find it helpful to ask for a baby shower to be held after the baby is born.
- Some people will give you advice on what you should or shouldn't do to make your pregnancy successful because they are also emotionally interested in your pregnancy. The easiest way to deal with their suggestions is to listen and then do what you, your partner, and the medical team think is best.
- Your birth experience can be bittersweet because memories of your loss can resurface. You may have to grieve in addition to celebrating your new baby.
- Your upbringing can be affected by your past loss, so there can be moments of panic, especially when the new baby is sick or too quiet.
- You may feel the need to protect yourself from even more heartache, so you should be careful in dealing with your new baby until you are sure that he is safe and healthy.
- If you feel like you are having difficulty, talk to your doctor about possible support groups or counselors who could help you through this difficult time.