Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Having a miscarriage, or pregnancy loss, can be an extremely difficult experience. While nothing can prepare you and your partner for how to cope with losing a baby, many couples take comfort in knowing they can conceive again and have a successful pregnancy after a miscarriage.

How to Cope After a Miscarriage

Keep in mind that a miscarriage can happen to anyone, even when you follow all of your doctor’s recommendations and take good care of yourself. In fact, research shows that 10% to 15% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage, although this number could be much higher because some women miscarry before they know they’re pregnant.

  • Some risk factors for miscarriage include:
  • Age 35 or older
  • Certain medical conditions
  • Multiple miscarriage
  • Obesity
  • Smoking and substance use

Studies show that most miscarriages happen when a fertilized egg receives the wrong number of chromosomes. This means there may have been nothing you could have done to prevent it from happening.

Seek Support

Speaking to a counselor or attending a support group can be very helpful to your healing process. Practicing mindfulness can also play a positive role in overcoming depression and any anxiety you might feel about becoming pregnant again. Honoring your baby by planting a tree or donating to a charity in their memory can help you heal as well. Don’t forget to lean on your close friends and loved ones.

There’s no right or wrong amount of time to grieve. But don’t hesitate to seek help if you are having trouble coping after miscarriage.

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Your Fertility After Miscarriage

The good news is that you could still be fertile after miscarriage and become pregnant again as soon as you begin ovulating. This could happen as early as two weeks after a miscarriage if it occurred during the first 13 weeks of your pregnancy. If it happened after 13 weeks, your ovulation cycle might take longer to return to normal.

More than 85% of women who have suffered one miscarriage go on to conceive again and have a successful pregnancy, as well as 75% of those who have had two or three miscarriages. Also, research published in Obstetrics & Gynecology determined that a shorter interval between pregnancies may also reduce the chance for miscarriage.

Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

It’s natural to feel worried about becoming pregnant again. To help ease anxiety, here are some things you might want to consider:

  • If you have any risk factors for miscarriage, ask your doctor if there are any tests you can take to help determine your risk.
  • Some couples opt to hold off on having a baby shower until after the baby is born.
  • Listen to the suggestions of well-meaning family and friends, but remember the ultimate decision-makers are you and your doctor.
  • Practice a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating a healthy diet, avoiding caffeine, and finding ways to manage stress.
  • Talk to your doctor about your anxiety and ask to have your pregnancy monitored closely. Your doctor is aware of your history and always by your side.

Above all, remember that everyone is different and handles pregnancy after a miscarriage in their own way. Do what feels right for you and your partner.