Pregnancy after miscarriage
As many as 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage and getting pregnant again will be an emotional ride fraught with anxiety about your unborn child, and mixed with happiness that this pregnancy seems to be progressing.
While your pregnant friends complain about tiredness and morning sickness, for you it’s a sign that this pregnancy is doing well. Everyday will feel like a milestone until you reach that three-month mark, when the chances of miscarrying dramatically decrease.
You’ll probably still worry about whether every twinge you feel is normal, until your baby is born, but plenty of women go on to have successful pregnancies and births after suffering one or more miscarriages. It’s usual not to feel elated with this pregnancy, as you’ll remember the last one – but the best thing you can do for you and your baby is keep positive. Talk over your feelings with your partner, who will probably be experiencing similar emotions as you. You can also talk to your OB-GYN or nurse-midwife, who can reassure you that everything is progressing normally.
Why does a miscarriage happen?
Miscarriage is pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks, when your baby isn’t yet able to survive outside the uterus. The causes of miscarriage aren’t fully understood, but the most common cause in the first trimester is chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomes are tiny thread-like structures that carry our genes and dictate all our traits, from our eye color to what size our feet will be. Each cell normally contains 23 pairs of chromosomes – 46 in all. One chromosome per pair comes from the father and one comes from the mother. Sometimes a cell can split unevenly which results in too many or too few chromosomes in the developing embryo. If the embryo has a chromosomal abnormality it is usually miscarried. Chromosomal abnormalities are more common in women over 35, so they are at a higher risk of having a miscarriage.
Repeated miscarriage
Some women do have more than one miscarriage but even for a woman who has had three miscarriages there is a 60 percent chance she will go on to have a successful pregnancy. Women who’ve had more than one miscarriage are tested for hormone imbalances, uterine abnormalities and disorders of the immunological system. A woman’s immune system can sometimes cause her body to reject the fetus as foreign tissue for the same reason as transplant patients reject organs. Immunizing the mother with the father’s antibodies prior to conception can solve this problem, so the mother’s body can get used to the father’s cells. Eventually when she conceives again she will recognize the fetus as friendly.
How many miscarriages should we endure?
After two miscarriages you should stop trying, give your body and emotional state a rest and have tests done to see why you’re miscarrying. Often the reasons remain unknown and you’ll go on to have a successful third pregnancy.? See our features on avoiding recurrent miscarriage, avoiding miscarriage and why does miscarriage happen? for more information.
Although it can be difficult to prevent miscarriage, there are steps you can take to make sure that your pregnancy is as safe and healthy as possible. These are much the same as those you'd follow to avoid a first miscarriage. For instance, it's advisable that you quit smoking, follow a healthy diet and cut alcohol and caffeine consumption down to a minimum.
If you've suffered several miscarriages and have been given the all clear by your doctor, it's up to you when you try to conceive again. Some couples try for a baby immediately after they've recovered from the miscarriage, although it's suggested that you wait until you've had at least one period as this can help with dating any subsequent pregnancy.
It's important that you try to stay positive. Although you might find it difficult to enjoy your pregnancy try to relax, as stress is counterproductive. Don't bottle up your emotions – remember, this pregnancy is different so don't relate it to your previous experiences. As well as eating a healthy diet, make sure you're well rested and that you take some gentle exercise, such as swimming, walking or pregnancy yoga. Talk through your feelings with your partner so that you feel well informed and, hopefully, reassured.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 03/07/2007
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