Trying after a miscarriage

It’s natural to want to become pregnant again after losing a baby, but it’s best to wait till you are physically and emotionally ready.

Research shows that if you’ve miscarried before you are more likely to miscarry again and the risk increases if you fall pregnant too quickly. Your uterus needs time to recover and the endometrial lining has to become strong and healthy again. Medically, it’s safe to conceive after you have had two or three menstrual periods.

Pregnancy is a special, magical time that should be enjoyed. If, however, you've experienced a miscarriage in the past, your excitement at becoming pregnant again might be slightly overshadowed by fears that you will experience another miscarriage. This is only natural, but it's important that you don't let your previous experiences ruin this pregnancy for you.
 
The term 'recurrent' miscarriage refers to the loss of a foetus at least three times for women under 35 and two or more times in women who are aged 35 and above. If you have had a miscarriage in the past, it's likely that your doctor will book you in for an ultrasound scan and also arrange for you to see an obstetrician. Hopefully, this scan will put your mind at ease and can therefore be useful and beneficial.
 
Try to take comfort in the fact that, according to extensive research, just because you've had a miscarriage in the past, it doesn't mean it will happen again. Apparently, even if you've had several miscarriages, you have a good chance of having a happy, healthy pregnancy in the future. Statistically, 1 in 36 women will experience two miscarriages and this won't have anything to do with there being anything genetically wrong with them. You might be experiencing miscarriages for a variety of reasons; according to Ruth Bender Atik, National Director of The Miscarriage Association, 'Recurrent miscarriages can have a single (or combined) underlying cause or causes (such as antiphospholid syndrome, also known as sticky blood syndrome which is found in about 15 to 20% of women with recurrent miscarriage). However, they may happen for different reasons, such as chromosome abnormality. About half of couples investigated for recurrent miscarriage don't have a cause identified.' If you have suffered from repeated miscarriage, however, it's worth arranging a visit with your doctor so that you can have some tests done to check everything's alright. There may be a simple explanation as to why you've experienced one or more miscarriages. 

 

If you have experienced only one miscarriage, be reassured by the fact that the likelihood of you continuing to have further miscarriages is just 1%. Recurrent miscarriage is actually more common than you might think and it by no means suggests that you won't continue to have a healthy baby. In fact 60% of women who suffer from unexplained recurrent miscarriage will be able to have a successful pregnancy. If the cause of your recurrent miscarriage has been diagnosed, the likelihood of you having a healthy pregnancy in the future rises to 90%.

 

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 people will 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 otherwise you might be more likely to miscarry. Some people might need more time to come to terms with their loss, and this is completely understandable. It's really an individual choice and not one that anyone else can make for you.

 

Having one miscarriage is traumatic enough, so having several can be incredibly upsetting and emotionally draining.  It may therefore be a good idea to receive some counselling; you need to make sure that you're both mentally and physically prepared before you try for another baby. See our feature on Are we ready for a baby?

 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 and/or health visitor, so that you feel well-informed and, hopefully, reassured.

Why does a miscarriage happen?
Miscarriage is pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks, before the foetus is able to survive outside the womb. Most miscarriages occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and as many as 50 per cent of losses occur before the woman has realised she is pregnant. The causes of miscarriage are not fully understood, but the most common cause in the first trimester is Chromosomal Abnormalities.

Chromosomal Abnormalities
Chromosomes are tiny thread like structures that carry our genes and dictate all our traits, from our eye colour to what size our feet end up. Each person has 23 pairs, or 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 per cent 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.

Immunological Induced Miscarriage
A woman’s immune system can sometimes cause her body to reject the foetus as foreign tissue for the same reason as transplant patients reject organs. Immunising the mother with the father’s anti bodies 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 recognise the foetus 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 to see why you are miscarrying. Often the reasons remain unknown and you will go on to have a successful third pregnancy.

If you have any unanswered questions, use our answers page to gain wisdom from our resident experts for advice on this subject.

Alternatively, if you want to meet other women in your area who have or are in a similar situation to you, visit our people section of the site to find out what is happening in your area, or join or start one of our groups.

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.

Related Articles

• Guide To : Pregnancy: Miscarriage
• Guide To : Pregnancy: Pregnancy after miscarriage
• News: Nicole Kidman's anguished miscarriage
• Early Pregnancy: Avoiding miscarriage.
• Fertility: How to avoid recurrent miscarriage

Last Modified: 26/04/2007