Pregnant After a Miscarriage
Answers to your questions and doubts
Unfortunately, not every pregnancy goes as hoped. Sometimes it ends prematurely in a miscarriage. Even so, it’s normally possible to become pregnant again afterwards. But many women have questions about this, or doubts. That’s completely normal, and you’re always welcome to discuss them with us. Call and book an appointment soon. Or read this blog first for initial information about pregnancy after a miscarriage.
Button: Call us with questions or doubts after a miscarriage
When can you get pregnant again?
After a miscarriage, you can become pregnant again fairly quickly, even before you’ve had a period again. How quickly your cycle recovers does vary from woman to woman. But there’s no medical reason to wait; becoming pregnant right after a miscarriage isn’t dangerous and doesn’t increase the chance of another miscarriage. If your doctor or gynaecologist has advised you to wait for a medical reason that applies to you, then this of course doesn’t apply.
Pregnant again after a miscarriage without a period?
Just as you can become pregnant again after a pregnancy before your period has started, the same is true after a miscarriage. In general, you can assume that your first period will occur between 4 and 6 weeks after the miscarriage. With a regular cycle, you’re therefore fertile again between 2 and 3 weeks after the miscarriage. But before your cycle gets going again, your body needs to be ready for it. How quickly that happens depends on, among other things:
How far along was your pregnancy?
When you’re pregnant, your body produces the hormone hCG. The longer you’re pregnant before having a miscarriage, the longer it also takes for this hormone to leave your body. Only after that can your cycle start again.
How long does physical recovery take?
After a pregnancy, all the pregnancy tissue needs to leave your body, and that’s also true after a miscarriage. This can happen within a few days, but it can also take a few weeks. Your cycle starts up again once all this tissue has left your body.
How regular was your cycle before the pregnancy?
Did you have an irregular cycle before your pregnancy? Then you’ll probably have one again now. In that case, it’s very difficult to say when you’ll be able to get pregnant again.
Is it okay to get pregnant again straight away?
That’s up to you. If it’s physically possible, there’s no reason why you couldn’t become pregnant again straight away. But it’s also possible that you’re simply not emotionally ready yet, and that’s fine too. You decide when you’re mentally ready for a pregnancy after a miscarriage. Discuss it with your partner, take your time, and don’t let anyone rush you. And, very importantly, keep taking your folic acid consistently!
What does it do to your body if you get pregnant again soon after a miscarriage?
A quick pregnancy after a miscarriage can be demanding on your body. This depends, among other things, on the previous pregnancy and how the miscarriage went. If you lost a lot of blood, for example, you may have an iron deficiency. This can make you quite tired or dizzy. Your hormone levels also change temporarily after a miscarriage. This can lead to increased fatigue, and you may find things emotionally a bit harder as a result.
Why your body (usually) actually functions well during a miscarriage
It feels quite contradictory, but having a miscarriage is often a sign that your body is actually functioning very well. In many cases, something isn’t quite right with the embryo. Your body detects this and then ends the pregnancy. However sad, in that situation your body is working exactly as it’s meant to. This, of course, doesn’t apply to miscarriages caused by other factors.
Emotional and pregnant after a miscarriage
After a miscarriage you may experience all kinds of feelings. Anger, grief, loss, guilt, emptiness… all of it can be there, and all of it is allowed. Whether you become pregnant very soon after a miscarriage or only some time later, those feelings can still be present, or suddenly come back completely. And considering that many women are already more emotional during pregnancy anyway, it’s not so strange if the emotions from that miscarriage resurface. If that happens, talk about it, with your partner, a friend, doctor, coach, or with us. Because we’re here for you, even if you’re finding things difficult during or after a pregnancy.
Frequently asked questions about getting pregnant after a miscarriage
When can you get pregnant again after a miscarriage?
After a miscarriage you can often become pregnant again fairly quickly, sometimes even before you’ve had a period again. There’s usually no medical reason to wait.
Can you get pregnant after a miscarriage before you’ve had a period?
Yes, that’s possible. With a regular cycle, you can be fertile again around 2 to 3 weeks after a miscarriage. Your first period usually comes after 4 to 6 weeks. This can, of course, vary from person to person.
Is it okay to get pregnant again straight away after a miscarriage?
If it’s physically possible, there’s usually no reason not to become pregnant again straight away. But you also need to be emotionally ready. So above all, take the time you need.
What does getting pregnant again quickly after a miscarriage do to your body?
This can be demanding, especially if you’ve lost a lot of blood or are still recovering. You might, for example, feel tired or dizzy. Your hormones can also still affect how you feel.
Can you feel emotional when you’re pregnant again after a miscarriage?
Yes, that’s completely normal. Grief, fear or uncertainty can suddenly come back. Talk about it with your partner, a friend, your doctor or your midwife.
Call your midwife in Amsterdam-Zuid
Do you still have questions after your miscarriage? Is there anything you’d like to know before becoming pregnant again? You can always come to us, alone or together with your partner. Will you call us with any questions or doubts?
