Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Trying for a baby after miscarriage a can be scary. If you miscarried in your first pregnancy, or even your first two or three, you may be wondering if you will ever successfully carry a baby to term. You are not alone, but there is every reason to be hopeful. Between 10 and 20 percent of all pregnancies end in miscarriage; that's up to one in five. The majority of these women go on to have normal, healthy pregnancies.

Surviving The Miscarriage And Preparing To Try Again

It is usually safe to resume your sex life as soon as the bleeding from the miscarriage ends. Medically speaking, most women can conceive again after four to six weeks when they have finished their first normal period. Some couples, however, need more time to deal with their feelings of loss and grief. For this reason, many medical professionals recommend waiting three months before trying to get pregnant again. This also gives your menstrual cycle time to recover. Only you and your partner can really know when you are both ready. If you are struggling to cope, talk to close friends and family. Ask your health care provider about counseling or a support group if that's what you need. Remember, a lost pregnancy can be like a bereavement - don't bottle up your feelings.

One Miscarriage Doesn't Guarantee Another

Medical professionals think that most miscarriages are caused by a random, faulty chromosome, which usually does not recur in future pregnancies. Even after one or two miscarriages, it is unlikely that you have an underlying medical problem. As cruel as it seems, a lot of miscarriages happen purely by chance. Speak to your health care provider about possible reasons for your miscarriage(s) and eliminate factors, such as smoking or alcohol, which may increase your chance of losing a pregnancy. If you have had three or more miscarriages in a row, ask your doctor for tests to determine whether or not there is an underlying cause.

Coping With Your Fears

You may feel anxious, tearful, or even depressed if you are pregnant again after a miscarriage. These emotions can be confusing, particularly if people expect you to be happy. Don't go it alone. Make sure that you talk to someone, whether it's your partner, doctor, or friends and family. Some women choose not to tell anyone outside their relationship or closest family circle until the pregnancy has passed the stage of the previous miscarriage. Only you know what is best for you. However, friends and family can be a valuable source of support when you need it. If the future seems too much to cope with, take one day at a time. Important milestones in the pregnancy such as scans and hearing the baby's heartbeat will also help you to relax and think more positively.