SSM Health St. Clare Hospital: Pregnancy After A Miscarriage

From the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

May 25, 2021 by SSM Health

The heartbreak of a miscarriage can be devastating. It’s natural to be concerned about whether the miscarriage will affect your fertility, and if you do become pregnant again, will you have another miscarriage?

Medically speaking, your health care provider can tell you when it’s the right time to try again. Of course, just because your body may be ready, your heart might not be.

Moving forward

Naturally, you’ll likely have concerns about another miscarriage, which can make the whole idea of becoming pregnant again anxiety-provoking. It’s normal to feel cautious or fearful, but it’s also okay to be excited and hopeful. The numbers are in your favor: Up to 85 percent of couples who miscarried once will go on to have a healthy second pregnancy. Even after two or three losses, 75 percent of people were able to have a baby.

How soon can you get pregnant after a miscarriage?

There is no perfect amount of time to wait before trying to conceive again, but many health care providers encourage patients to wait at least a few months to strengthen the chance of a healthy pregnancy. If the body isn’t ready to support a pregnancy by the time they conceive again, they face an increased risk of experiencing a repeat miscarriage.

Check with your practitioner about your specific situation. If there’s scarring in your uterus, pieces of placenta left behind or significant blood loss, he or she might recommend a longer wait.

What if I had multiple miscarriages?

Experiencing three or more miscarriages in a row is considered recurrent. If you have a history of recurrent miscarriages, evaluations and a treatment plan are needed. At the SLUCare Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Center, we offer a comprehensive approach to the reproductive health needs of women. Our doctors will evaluate and provide treatment plans tailored to you based on your specific needs.

Many families who experience the loss of pregnancy want to know why. The Providing Answers After Loss (PAAL) Program through the St. Louis Fetal Care Institute at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital works to help families find answers. The program also provides counseling and support to families as they plan for the future.

PAAL provides advanced testing that can give families information to help them make informed decisions and genetic counseling that helps families understand the diagnosis and its risk of recurring in future pregnancies. Learn more about the PAAL Program.

When will I ovulate after a miscarriage?

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), ovulation can happen as soon as two weeks after an early pregnancy loss. But your cycle may take longer to adjust with a later miscarriage – the exact timing varies from person to person.

Although the ACOG notes there’s no “medical reason to wait to begin trying again,” the group says you may want to wait until you’ve had a menstrual period. Knowing the date of your period makes it easier to calculate the due date when you do become pregnant again.

Tips on getting pregnant after a miscarriage

When you’re ready to try again, it’s important to understand that you can’t necessarily prevent miscarriage. Women 35 and older are more likely to have miscarriages because eggs tend to have more chromosomal abnormalities with age. But following a healthy lifestyle can help.

• Quit smoking and avoid alcohol, nicotine and drugs
• Manage your stress
• Drink plenty of water, eat a balanced diet and look at your caffeine and alcohol intake
• Achieve or maintain a healthy weight
• Address any underlying health problems
• Exercise

What is the MOMS Line?

Anxiety and fear after a miscarriage is normal. Regardless of the feelings you may be experiencing, you are not alone and many women have experienced what you’re going through. SSM Health’s MOMS Line provides free peer-led support groups for women dealing with worry, sadness and overwhelming aspects of life during pregnancy and postpartum. The MOMS Line provides postpartum peer coaches and support groups. Learn more about our MOMS Line.

Will I need extra care in this pregnancy?

If you had a miscarriage and are now pregnant, you may want to receive extra care throughout your pregnancy. The care you will receive during your pregnancy after your miscarriage will depend on your medical history. Talk to your OB/GYN about your history and concerns. He or she will partner with you to develop a treatment plan for monitoring and lowering your risk for subsequent miscarriages.

Learn more about SSM Health’s Maternity Care.

This press release was produced by the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed are the author's own.