Wait to conceive after a miscarriage

CEG · Mar 23, 2008

As far as I understand it the waiting period after a miscarriage is more for ease in dating a future pregnancy and emotional healing than anything else. I am not sure about a stillbirth though.

onyx77 · Mar 23, 2008

My bestfriend had a miscarriage last year when she was about 25 weeks. I am not sure what rule-of-thumb is as I don't work in womens health, but her Dr. told her she could start trying again after she had her first NORMAL period. It was only a month after and they were expecting again, and just this last January she had a beautiful, healthy baby girl. Pregnancy was uneventful.

FireStarterRN, BSN, RN · Mar 23, 2008

I had a miscarriage once and we chose NOT to wait. We read of an Israeli study that indicated that conceiving after just on menstural cycle was no problem. I got pregnant after one period and had an uneventful pregnancy.

studentmom2007 · Mar 23, 2008

I had a friend that had a miscarriage and her doc told her to wait a couple of cycles to let her body naturally "cleanse" itself (she did not have a D&C). She never had another cycle! She is due in July and so far everything is going great!

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 24, 2008

The answers to questions like these are just as individual as the people in the given situation.....

Burnt Out, ASN, RN · Mar 24, 2008

The answers to questions like these are just as individual as the people in the given situation.....

Very true. I've had a family member that miscarried before the holidays last fall and was told to wait 3 months. I've also had patients with RTS that have been told that they can try to conceive immediately.

rn/writer, RN · Mar 24, 2008

As you can see, there are many opinions and a wide variation in the advice that is available.

I would encourage any woman in this situation to talk to her doc or other care provider so that her individual circumstances can be taken into consideration.

Factors in such a consultation would include her overall health, the reason for the loss of the previous pregnancy, her emotional state, how difficult the earlier conception had been, and a host of other pertinent data. What might be right for one person might not be good for someone else.

The whole subject of pregnancy is invested with emotional as well as physical significance. It really is important to be making these decisions with the help of a good care provider and with the significant other involved as well. Internet information can be a starting place for gathering basic information, but that's all it should be. Much of what passes for fact online is nothing more than speculation or wishful thinking. And some of it is downright dangerous and wrong.

Use the Internet to help formulate your questions, by all means. Then take those questions to someone who has good solid skills and training and who is willing to take the time to get to know you and hear your thoughts and concerns. This is a much safer (and usually more productive) route to go when trying to add to your family.

mrscurtwkids4 · Mar 24, 2008

I would agree that the individual needs to consult their physician for the advice about the length of time due to the individuality of the situation. I had a placental abruption with my first child at 32 weeks and had to have an emergency c-section due to hemmorhaging. My doctor had suggested I wait 3 to 6 months. After 4 months I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I had youth going for me at the time though as I was only 19 and still newly married. The subsequent pregnancy with my daughter was uneventful, although I did a repeat c-section due to the short healing time I gave myself between pregnancies. Now I'm the proud mommy of 4 daughters :-)

amberfnp · Mar 24, 2008

Interesting thread...I just miscarried myself 3 weeks ago and have been trying to decide when to try again. This was my 1st m/c and I have one 10 year old, no complications.

There are 2 docs at my OB office, my primary doc, who is & older who seems to have the 'old school' approach to things and he said 6 months is best. The younger doc said 3 months although he said if it happened before 3 months, he did not see an increased risk of m/c or complication.

My way of grieving is through research/education...most of what I have found says after one cycle. Since I had an uncomplicated, early m/c without the need for a d & c, we will probably try again after one cycle.

Although I don't think it will matter when I get pregnant again...I will still be a nervous wreck and a fanatic toilet paper checker the whole pregnancy. It' amazing how one m/c can change you.

onyx77 · Mar 25, 2008

Interesting thread...I just miscarried myself 3 weeks ago and have been trying to decide when to try again. This was my 1st m/c and I have one 10 year old, no complications.
There are 2 docs at my OB office, my primary doc, who is & older who seems to have the 'old school' approach to things and he said 6 months is best. The younger doc said 3 months although he said if it happened before 3 months, he did not see an increased risk of m/c or complication.
My way of grieving is through research/education...most of what I have found says after one cycle. Since I had an uncomplicated, early m/c without the need for a d & c, we will probably try again after one cycle.
Although I don't think it will matter when I get pregnant again...I will still be a nervous wreck and a fanatic toilet paper checker the whole pregnancy. It' amazing how one m/c can change you.

:icon_hug:I am sorry to hear about your m/c. You will be in my prayers.:icon_hug:

Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP · Mar 25, 2008

Wishing all of you the best. Pregnancy brings so much emotion, and then when that pregnancy is lost - no matter what the gestation - it can be so devastating. I truly wish all of you who have lost babies and want to conceive again all the best.