Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Miscarriage is when a pregnancy spontaneously ends before the 20th week. A large number of miscarriages take place so early, that the woman is unaware that she is pregnant. Only about 10 to 20 percent of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Even though miscarriages occur at high rates, it doesn't make them any less painful or traumatic for the couple. For this reason, it is important to heal physically and emotionally, before considering pregnancy after miscarriage.

Can you get pregnant soon after a miscarriage?
The decision to enter the state of parenthood is a momentous one, especially for those who have experienced a miscarriage. The path from miscarriage to pregnancy is fraught with emotional land mines and medical concerns. As the possibility of becoming pregnant during the first menstrual cycle right after a miscarriage, one must be careful not to let this happen. While one must wait for a minimum of at least one menstrual cycle, some doctors will feel that the uterine lining must be replaced three times, especially in cases, where a D&C was performed, before the couple try again. However, if you do conceive after only one cycle, there is no additional risk to the pregnancy. A few good reasons to delay conception are: if you need to undergo surgery at the time, such as dilatation and curettage (D&C), laparotomy or cesarean section, if your menstrual cycles are taking time to return or stabilize, if you are still waiting for autopsy reports or undergoing genetic testing, or if you are still grieving.

If you are someone who has suffered more than one miscarriages, especially more than three in a row, it is important to investigate what are the underlying causes (coagulation problems, uterine abnormalities or chromosomal abnormalities) that are causing them. However, even if it has not been possible to identify the cause of your miscarriages, don't despair. The statistics say that even without treatment, about 60 to 70 percent of women with repeated miscarriages go on to have successful pregnancies.

Another problem you may encounter and should be prepared for is a late period, if you have retained tissue. In some cases, it is possible to have a positive pregnancy test, even when you aren't pregnant. This is due to the hCG that is still in your system from the miscarriage, which is still in progress. Some women experiencing bleeding and cramping, think they are having another miscarriage, but in fact are still going through the first one. Leftover tissue may be there even after having a D&C. Due to these many reasons, it is wise to complete a menstrual cycle before trying again. During the first cycle post miscarriage, your body is still correcting itself, and thus charting and ovulation predictor kits may not give you reliable results.

Be aware that getting pregnant after miscarriage is the easy part, for the ensuing time will be physically and emotionally difficult. For some women, every cramp, twinge or cervical discharge will be a cause for panic. Additional care, such as early blood tests, additional hCG tests and early sonograms may help you to feel more in control of the situation. However, the most important aspect in getting through a pregnancy after miscarriage is the support and understanding of your partner, doctor, family and friends.