Following a miscarriage you might be feeling anxious or confused
about what caused your miscarriage and when to conceive again.
Here are things you should know and steps you can take to promote a
healthy pregnancy.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF MISCARRIAGE?
Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 20th
week. About 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage. Most
miscarriages occur because the fetus is not developing normally.
Problems with the baby's chromosomes or genes are typically the
result of errors that occur by chance as the embryo divides and grows
— not problems inherited from the parents. Sometimes a woman's
health condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or problems with the
uterus or cervix, also might lead to miscarriage. Often, however, the
cause of miscarriage is not known.
WHAT ARE THE CHANCES OF HAVING ANOTHER MISCARRIAGE?
The chances of getting pregnant after miscarriage are often the same
as they are before miscarriage. Women, who try for a second
pregnancy, tend to be successful 95% of the time. Women with two or
more miscarriages have a success rate of 75% on subsequent tries.
Health, illnesses, disease processes and other contributing factors will
affect chances of getting pregnant, more than a miscarriage.
HOW LONG SHOULD A WOMAN WAIT AFTER A MISCARRIAGE FOR
BETTER CHANCES OF GETTING PREGNANT?
The female body is ready to conceive again immediately after a
miscarriage. Hormone levels are at their highest, so infertility is
reduced and fertility increased. However, for the sake of the female
body and reducing the chance of a second miscarriage, many doctors
will suggest waiting at least one regular menstrual cycle to increase
chances of getting pregnant and maintaining the pregnancy. Other
doctors will suggest waiting up to six months to increase chances of
getting pregnant without complications.
Overall once you feel ready for pregnancy after miscarriage, ask your
health care provider for guidance. Also, consider these guidelines:
• One miscarriage. The World Health Organization recommends
waiting at least six months before trying to conceive, but other
research has found no evidence to support delaying conception. In
fact, some research has shown that women who conceived within six
months of having a miscarriage in their first pregnancy had fewer
complications than those who waited longer to conceive. If you're
healthy and feel ready, there might be no need to wait to conceive
after miscarriage.
• Two or more miscarriages. If you've had two or more miscarriages,
consult your health care provider. He or she might recommend testing
to determine any underlying issues, as well as possible treatments,
before attempting another pregnancy.
ARE SPECIAL TESTS RECOMMENDED BEFORE ATTEMPTING
PREGNANCY AFTER MISCARRIAGE?
If you experience more than two miscarriages, consider testing to
identify any underlying causes before attempting to get pregnant
again. For example:
• Blood tests. A sample of your blood is evaluated to help detect
problems with hormones or your immune system.
• Chromosomal tests. You and your partner might both have your
blood tested to determine if your chromosomes are a factor. There are
other tests as determined by your health care provider.
If the cause of your miscarriages can't be identified, don't lose hope.
About 60 to 70 percent of women with unexplained repeated
miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies.
WHEN SHOULD A SPECIALIST BE CONSULTED BEFORE ATTEMPTING
TO CONCEIVE AGAIN?
You may want to consider seeking help if you:
• Have had two or more miscarriages
• Are over age 35
• Have an illness that may affect your pregnancy (such as diabetes)
• Have experienced fertility issues
IS THERE ANYTHING THAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE CHANCES
OF A HEALTHY PREGNANCY?
Making healthy lifestyle choices before conception and during
pregnancy can help keep you and your baby healthy.
Start by taking a daily prenatal vitamin or folic acid supplement,
ideally beginning a few months before conception. It's also important
to maintain a healthy weight, include physical activity in your daily
routine, eat a healthy diet and limit caffeine. Be sure to manage stress
and avoid alcohol, smoking and illegal drugs.
If you've had multiple miscarriages, future pregnancies need to be
carefully planned and monitored. Consult your health care provider
before conceiving again and see him or her as soon as you think you
might be pregnant.
HOW WILL YOU FEEL DURING THE NEXT PREGNANCY?
Your next pregnancy might not be as joyful as you would like because
you’ve learned that life doesn’t always go according to your plans.
You can’t say it’s your first, but it is also difficult to say you are a
parent. The following are recommendations to make this time a little
easier:
• Ask that your pregnancy be monitored carefully.
• You may want to avoid early preparation for the baby’s arrival.
Some couples find it helpful to request that baby showers be held
until after the arrival of the baby. This is to avoid adding to the
emotional torture, except you are walking by faith.
• Some people will make suggestions about what you should do or
not do to make this pregnancy successful because they are also
invested emotionally in your pregnancy. The easiest way to handle
their suggestions is to listen, and then do whatever you, your partner,
and medical team feel is best.
• Your birth experience might be bittersweet because memories may
resurface about your previous loss. So know how to handle it.
• Your parenting may be influenced by your past loss so moments of
panic might occur, especially when the new baby is ill, or too quiet.
• If you feel you are struggling, speak to your healthcare provider
about a possible counselor who could help you through this difficult
time.