Experiencing the loss of a baby is heartbreaking, and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed with grief and worry about having another miscarriage. Honoring those feelings is important, and you should take the time you need to grieve the loss of your pregnancy. 

While you will undoubtedly still feel some anxiety, it’s important to know that most people who miscarry go on to have a healthy baby. You likely will, too.

Facts About Miscarriage

Miscarriage is not uncommon, with about 15% of known pregnancies ending in miscarriage. Because the majority of miscarriages happen so early, often before the pregnancy is known, the true rate is closer to 25%. While it frequently feels isolating, you probably know others who’ve experienced a miscarriage, even if they don’t talk about it. 

As your pregnancy progresses, the risk of miscarriage is lower, dropping to 0.5% by the time you reach 20 weeks. Additionally, recurrent miscarriages (two or more in a row) are much less common (1.7%), along with the rate of experiencing three or more miscarriages (0.7%). However, if you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriages, your risk of future miscarriages does increase.

Understanding Why Miscarriage Happens

It’s important to understand that miscarriage is not your fault. Most occur during the first trimester, and approximately 50% of these miscarriages are due to genetic problems that prevent the baby from developing properly. These miscarriages aren’t linked to underlying health problems, so you’re likely to have a healthy pregnancy in the future.

Other causes of miscarriage may include:

• Congenital problems with your uterus
• Thyroid disease
• Diabetes
• Autoimmune disease
• Asherman syndrome
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Hormonal problems
• Problems with your cervix
• Infections
• Genetic conditions
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Alcohol or other drugs
• Environmental factors

In many cases, the cause of miscarriage is unknown, though most women go on to have healthy pregnancies. 

How Soon to Try Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

If your miscarriage was uncomplicated and your doctor says you’re healthy enough to try again, you can begin trying as soon as two weeks after miscarriage. If you miscarried in the second trimester or had complications, you may need to wait longer.

It’s also important to be sure you and your partner feel emotionally ready to try again. You may need to seek treatment from a mental health professional or support groups that allow you to connect with others who’ve experienced miscarriage.

Statistically speaking, there appears to be an advantage to trying again within the first few months after a miscarriage, with conception rates higher during this time. However, if you don’t feel ready, you’re still likely to have a healthy pregnancy in the future. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about the best time for you to try to get pregnant again.

Do You Need to See a Fertility Specialist?

While many couples don’t need to see a fertility specialist after a miscarriage, you are always welcome to schedule a consult with a fertility specialist before trying to conceive again. And if you’ve miscarried in the second trimester or have experienced two or more miscarriages, you should see a fertility specialist. The same is true if you have health conditions that may increase your risk of miscarriage. 

How Can a Fertility Specialist Help With Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage?

A fertility specialist will take a thorough medical history and conduct diagnostic testing to try to learn, and if found, treat the cause of your miscarriage. Even with no apparent cause, a fertility specialist can help you conceive and carry a healthy pregnancy. 

The exact treatment you need will depend on your unique circumstances. Problems like septate uterus, uterine fibroids, and uterine polyps can be corrected by surgery. An “incompetent cervix” can be treated with sutures (stitches) to keep the cervix closed. Hormonal imbalances and problems with blood clotting can be corrected with medicine. Your doctor will also work with your healthcare team to help you manage underlying conditions that may impact your risk of miscarriage.

Finally, IVF with preimplantation genetic testing may be helpful after a miscarriage to ensure only healthy embryos are transferred to your uterus. 

What to Remember About Getting Pregnant After Miscarriage

Losing a pregnancy is devastating, but most people who experience a miscarriage go on to have a healthy baby.

If you’d like to speak to a fertility specialist about getting pregnant after miscarriage, contact our office to schedule an appointment with Dr. Matthew Macer. The Halo Fertility team will treat you with care and empathy as we work to determine the underlying cause of your miscarriage, and the best treatment plan to help you have a healthy pregnancy when you’re ready.