The distress caused by miscarriage tends to linger. Beyond the grief of losing their pregnancy, many patients worry about whether they can still deliver a healthy baby afterward. This fear is often exacerbated by misinformation about fertility after miscarriage. The truth is that overall 8% to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the risk increases as women get older. However, most people still have excellent chances to grow their families even after a miscarriage. Here, we debunk some common myths about fertility after pregnancy loss.
My chances of having a baby after a miscarriage are very low.
Most people actually have excellent chances for a healthy pregnancy with a live birth after pregnancy loss. The predicted risk of miscarriage in a future pregnancy is only about 20% after one miscarriage. Though the risk increases in the case of multiple pregnancy losses, miscarriage is most often a one-time occurrence. Only 2% to 5% of expectant parents experience recurrent pregnancy loss, and those who do can seek a number of treatment options.
After a miscarriage, I need to wait 6 to 12 months to try again.
To prevent infection, patients who have recently had a miscarriage should avoid inserting anything in the vagina for about two weeks. After that time, it is possible to become pregnant again — the time you wait to try again is a matter of individual choice. Many will wait three months to recover physically and emotionally, but waiting longer is neither necessary nor always helpful. What’s important is for parents to feel personally ready to resume their family-forming journey.
There is nothing I can do to prevent a miscarriage.
While it is true that most miscarriages can’t be prevented, being healthy before pregnancy maximizes the chances of carrying a baby to term. If you are trying to get pregnant, it is helpful to have a healthy diet and lifestyle; taking prenatal vitamins or folic acid supplements can also improve the chances of a healthy pregnancy. Additionally, refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol, and using recreational drugs.
Miscarriages can cause a great deal of stress and grief for expectant parents, but it is more than possible to get pregnant again and have a healthy baby in the future. The more support parents have, the smoother their family-forming journey will be. Self-help groups and professional emotional support should be considered by everyone and can be helpful for many. Even companies can do their part to support employees who have suffered from pregnancy loss. Offering comprehensive, inclusive fertility benefits helps employees recover from the emotional and physical pain of a miscarriage so they can build the families they deserve.
