Women Can Try Pregnancy Again ASAP After Miscarriage

Women who miscarry often ask their doctors how long they should wait before trying to have a child again. A new study shows that there is no reason for asking women to hold off trying to conceive.

Pregnancy after miscarriage

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting at least six months however, researchers are challenging that with new studies.

A Scottish researcher said their findings suggest the WHO guidelines need to be revisited. "Our data showed, that at least in Scottish women, there is no justification in delaying a pregnancy following an uncomplicated miscarriage," said lead researcher Dr. Sohinee Bhattacharya, a lecturer in obstetric epidemiology at the University of Aberdeen, Dugald Baird Centre for Research on Women's Health at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital in Aberdeen.

"This research will help health-care providers to counsel women regarding timing of future pregnancies and will allow couples to make informed choices based on hard evidence," Bhattacharya said.

For this study, Bhattacharya's team gathered data on 30,937 women who had had miscarriages in their first pregnancy and then became pregnant again. Thy found that women who got pregnant within six months were less likely to miscarry again, to have to terminate the pregnancy or to have an ectopic pregnancy compared with women who got pregnant six to 12 months after their miscarriage. They did find that some of these women were at a higher risk of induced labor. In addition, the study showed that for some of these women, they were less likely to have a cesarean delivery, have a premature delivery or have a low birth weight baby.

"Women over 35 are more likely to experience difficulties in conceiving, and women aged 40 years have a 30 percent chance of miscarriage, which rises to 50 percent in those aged 45 years or more. Any delay in attempting conception could further decrease their chance of a healthy baby," the researchers wrote.

Julia Shelley, an associate professor from the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia said the study did not conclusively answer the question of when the best time was to get pregnant after a miscarriage.

"In research such as this study, it is not possible to tell whether the intervals between pregnancies were deliberately chosen, or were accidental or involuntary," Shelley said. "Consequently, we cannot really tell whether pregnancies conceived very soon after a miscarriage really do have better outcomes, or whether women [and couples] who conceive quickly following a miscarriage have better outcomes in a subsequent pregnancy than couples who take longer to conceive."

"I think we can say that the study suggests that there is no harm in conceiving again immediately following a miscarriage," Shelley said.

She added, "I don't think the study provides good evidence that pregnancies conceived six to 12 months following a miscarriage will have poorer outcomes than those conceived more quickly. For example, the higher rate of pregnancy terminations in pregnancies conceived between 6 and 12 months may mean that more of these pregnancies are unintended."

"I agree women should wait a couple of months after a miscarriage then try again, but we really never had the hard evidence why we do that," said Dr. George Attia, an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology at University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. He stated. "It's good to find a study that supports our way of thinking.”

After a Miscarriage

This is from my favorite Natural Fertility blog:

After A Miscarriage… What To Do

by Hethir Rodriguez, MH, CMT

One common question we receive is… “What do I do after a miscarriage?”.

Believe it or not, miscarriages are a common occurrence. As scary as that may sound, one in four women experience a miscarriage. So if you have stumbled upon this website because of a recent loss, we are here for you…

The concerns most expressed frequently are:

“Why did this happen? I did ———-fill in the blank—-, do you think that could have caused it?”

“What are my chances of getting pregnant after a miscarriage?”

“I just had a miscarriage, how do I get my period back?”

“I just had a miscarriage, what can I do so I can get pregnant right away?”

“We want to try again as soon as possible, what can we do?”

While determining the cause of a miscarriage requires immediate testing at the right times (some tests require segments of the placenta or blood drawn before the miscarriage), many times the results are still diagnosed as an “unknown cause”. Why is this, you ask? Well, one reason is that reproductive medicine is still in its infancy, with 50% of women being told they have “unexplained infertility” after numerous tests, and hardly any answers for women who have had a miscarriage. The other reason is that many miscarriages happen because they are supposed to happen. If the embryo is not viable, the pregnancy will end. This is how a healthy reproductive system works. So don’t automatically assume that something is wrong with you if you have had a miscarriage.

What are you to do? Well, thankfully nature provides. You can look to nature to help you prepare your body for your next pregnancy. There are herbs, foods, supplements, therapies and mind-body techniques that can be used to your advantage. You can read about natural therapies for helping to prevent another miscarriage on Natural-Fertility-Info.com, but this article is going to focus on what you can do after you have had a miscarriage to help your body heal and get your fertility back on track. Here are some suggestions. Read over them and then listen to your body, tune in, and see what resonates with you…

1. Rest, recuperate and be gentle.
Many women want to get pregnant right away after a miscarriage, wanting to hurry up and move on. I felt like this after my first miscarriage. As I look back ,I believe hormones had something to do with feeling that way, as well as realizing how much I actually wanted a child after being pregnant ( our pregnancy was a surprise). It may be different for each person, but the body really needs to rest and sort itself out. It would not be best for your body or hormonal system to try to force your period to come early. Generally, it may take 2 weeks to 2 months for the menstrual cycle to come back, the pregnancy hormones to balance back to pre-pregnancy levels, and for your body to replenish its reserves.

Be gentle on yourself. Take some time to explore what you are going through and rest and focus on taking care of yourself. You don’t have to rush back to work right away. Work can wait!

2. Nourish yourself.
Pregnancy demands a lot from your body, as does a miscarriage. Nourish yourself with whole foods that are iron rich, full of fiber ,and contain vibrant colors. Eating a natural fertility diet will help to support your body in healing and replenishing nutrients.

3. Protect yourself from infection.
Directly after a miscarriage it is a good idea to help support your body in warding off infections that can occur. Avoid hot tubs, douching, taking baths, or having sex until the bleeding subsides. Some natural therapies that are known to help prevent infection are:

Aged garlic capsules or fresh garlic

Vitamin C

Grapefruit seed extract

Oil of Oregano

Use each supplement as bottle suggests.

4. Support the uterus and liver.
After the bleeding has stopped and a new menstrual cycle is beginning you may want to perform a natural Fertility Cleanse. The best time to start a Fertility Cleanse is the day after your period has stopped, so you may want to plan ahead. This will help to support the liver in cleansing old/excess hormones, medications taken, and in turn help to balance the hormones. The Fertility Cleanse is also very effective at helping to support the uterus in cleansing itself. Some times there is old stagnant blood left in the uterus which could use some help getting out. The Fertility Cleanse is a gentle cleanse that can be done in conjunction with a nourishing fertility diet to help support and bring your body back to balance. It is best not to try to conceive while doing the Fertility Cleanse.

5. Massage the uterus.
When you feel ready, all bleeding has stopped, and you are not on your period, you may want to start massaging the uterus. This can help to relax the uterus, help bring fresh new blood to the area, and tonify the uterine tissues. It is a wonderful way to prepare your body for getting pregnant after a miscarriage. Uterine massage can be preformed by a uterine massage therapist or you can learn to do it for your self in the Self Fertility Massage DVD.

It’s wonderfully relaxing and soothing to your body if you start with a castor oil pack and hot water bottle. Then follow that with some essential oils (one or two drops of rose, lavender or geranium) and begin the massage. Be gentle with yourself and with the pressure that you use as you become accustomed to massaging your uterus. Emotions may come up, let them happen and soon they will be released.

6. Educate and prepare.
Prepare for conception by educating yourself on your options. There are many natural things you can do to help prepare your body for a full term, healthy pregnancy. I have covered them in this guide: 5 Steps To Decreasing the Chance of Recurrent Miscarriages.

Miscarriage Q&A

Q: “Why did this happen? I did —-fill in the blank—-, do you think that could have caused it?”

A: I have no easy answer for you. Without testing it is hard to tell why the miscarriage occurred. We can begin to analyze every little thing we did.. maybe it was the hot tub, or that one drink, or maybe because we had sex, etc… The list can go on and on. There is no way of knowing without getting some testing done, and most doctors won’t test until the 3rd miscarriage unless you demand it, since miscarriages are so common.

Q: “I just had a miscarriage, how do I get my period back?”

A: The best way to get your period back after a miscarriage is to let your body do its work. Allow the body the time it needs to balance everything out. If it has been a couple of months and you still have not gotten your period, then you may want to step in and try some natural therapies to bring your period back.

Q: “What are my chances of getting pregnant after a miscarriage?”
A: The statistics show that the chance of getting pregnant after a miscarriage are the same as during any other cycle.

Q: “I just had a miscarriage, what can I do so I can get pregnant right away?”

A: Basically the same thing as anyone who is trying to get pregnant. Support your body by:

Eating healthy

Eat a natural fertility diet

Use herbs and supplements to help bring the body into balance

But make sure to allow enough time for you to rest and your hormones to get back to normal. Many doctors say you can start trying again after your first complete menstrual cycle.

Q: “ What are the causes of miscarriages?”

A: There are many, but the most common are:
* Immunological (body is attacking the embryo)
* Hormonal (low progesterone)
* Chromosomal (you could have some impact on this by protecting your DNA, both women and men will need to work on this)

Q: Are there natural therapies I can use to help to prevent another miscarriage?”

A: Yes. We have had many clients have a healthy pregnancy following many miscarriages. For the best opportunity, take the steps needed for at least 3-4 months before trying to conceive. You can learn about how to prevent a miscarriage here…

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

There is no experience more difficult than having to go through a miscarriage during pregnancy. Miscarriage is not only physically taxing, but very emotionally challenging, as well. Yet, pregnancy loss can be even harder to deal with when it occurs time and time again. Known as recurrent pregnancy loss, repeated miscarriage is difficult for both partners involved. It can also make fertility treatments particularly challenging. However, with appropriate treatment, a successful pregnancy can be achieved.
Recurrent pregnancy loss is very difficult for couples to experience, especially because a cause for these miscarriages is often never determined. Nevertheless, by undergoing specific fertility testing and treatment, there is hope that couples who have experienced multiple miscarriages will go on to welcome a healthy child of their own.

Is Recurrent Pregnancy Loss Common?
Though miscarriage is a devastating experience, it actually occurs more often than most people know. In fact, more than 25% of all pregnancies end in a first trimester miscarriage, and it is likely that this number is actually much higher. This is because many pregnancies are miscarried before a woman even realizes she is pregnant. True miscarriage rates may be as high as 50% of all pregnancies.

Recurrent miscarriages are much more rare, but they can occur. It is thought that at least 5% of American couples have experienced two consecutive miscarriages, while approximately 3% of couples have experienced three consecutive miscarriages. Fewer than 3% of American couples go through more than three miscarriages in a row.

Who's At Risk For Experiencing Recurrent Pregnancy Loss?
Any couple can experience a recurrent miscarriage; however, there are certain factors that may increase your risk. Risk factors for recurrent miscarriage include:

* History of Previous Miscarriage: While experiencing one previous miscarriage won't increase your risk of recurrent miscarriage, women who have experienced two pregnancy losses are more likely to undergo recurrent pregnancy loss.
* Age: Age often increase your chances for miscarriage. Women who are over the age of 30 are more likely to have a miscarriage, while women over the age of 40 have significantly higher risks.
* Lifestlye: Certain lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of experiencing recurrent miscarriage, particularly smoking, heavy drinking, and drug use.

What Causes Recurrent Pregnancy Loss?

Unfortunately, it is difficult to pinpoint the underlying cause of pregnancy loss. In fact, more than 50% of couples that experience the problem never find out what is responsible for their miscarriages. However, there are a number of conditions that do underlie some cases of recurrent miscarriage.

Blood Clotting Disorders
Blood clotting disorders are believed to contribute to 15% of all recurrent pregnancy losses. These clotting disorders contribute to improper blood flow in the placenta, which means that the growing fetus does not receive the correct amount of oxygen and nutrition to survive. As a result, the fetus is miscarried. Blood clotting disorders are often due to immune disorders, particularly the presence of elevated levels of anticardiolipin antibodies and antiphospholipid antibodies in the bloodstream.

Genetic Factors
The vast majority of miscarriages can be attributed to genetic problems with the embryo itself. In order for an embryo to develop properly, it needs to contain healthy chromosomes that are organized in the appropriate order. Sometimes, these chromosomes become misshapen or misplaced during embryo development. As a result, the embryo dies early in pregnancy. These unhealthy chromosomes are often passed down from parent to child. It is believed that between 3% and 5% of recurrent miscarriages are due to genetic factors.

Structural Problems
In order for your baby to grow and develop properly, your uterus needs to be the proper size and shape. Some women suffer from uterine abnormalities, which can directly impact how an embryo implants and grows. Uterine factors, such as scarring, containing division or being abnormally small, can contribute to multiple miscarriages.

Hormonal Imbalance
Hormonal imbalance contributes to at least 20% of all recurrent pregnancy losses. Disorders, including PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome), often disturb the balance of hormones necessary to maintain a healthy pregnancy. Women experiencing multiple miscarriages often have low levels of progesterone and high levels of luteinizing hormone, which can interfere with pregnancy.
How Do You Treat Recurrent Pregnancy Loss?

There is hope for couples who are experiencing recurrent pregnancy loss. There are a variety of diagnostic tests and exams that can be performed in order to determine the underlying cause of miscarriage. Medical treatment can then be pursued in order to increase your chances of healthy pregnancy. The most common treatments include:

* Surgery: If you are suffering from uterine abnormalities such as scarring or uterine divisions, surgery can help to repair your uterus. This can help to ensure better implantation and growth of an embryo.
* Chromosome Analysis: Your health care provider can perform tests on you, you partner, and your fetus to determine if chromosome abnormalities may be contributing to your miscarriages. If chromosomal abnormalities are present, a genetic counselor can advise you on ways to reduce your chances of having a child with a genetic disease or deformity.
* Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy often helps to restore hormonal imbalances in women suffering from multiple miscarriages. In particular, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can help to increase your chances of carrying a pregnancy to term.
* Anticoagulants: If a blood disorder proves to be contributing to your recurrent miscarriages, anticoagulants can be administered to help improve blood circulation to the placenta. Low-dose aspirin and heparin are both used to treat these blood disorders.

If you have more questions about pregnancy loss and pregnancy complications please visit www.AskAnOb.com.

This Is How It Feels

Remembering Our Baby Angels

When You Need To Cry

Feel like you need to cry? You're not alone, by far. Coping with a loss or sorrow is exceedingly difficult.

Unfortunately, we are often discouraged from acknowledging our sadness. People may insist that we look at all the blessings and goodness we have in our lives, or they may preach that if we would just "be optimistic" enough, we will fee better.

Don't Hold Back The Tears

Putting on a false smile isn't going to create a miracle. And feeling sadness over the loss and frustration does not negate the goodness in our lives. You can be thankful for what you have, and still feel sadness over what you don't. These aren't contradictions.

When you need to cry, it's important to let yourself do so. Holding in sadness doesn't make it go away. Instead, it eats up the emotional energy you have to cope with and face your daily life. Tears find their way to sneak out, sometimes at the worst moments. Sometimes, sadness that is held in may present itself as anxiety or panic.

On the other hand, you don't want the sadness eating away at your life. When things are really difficult, it can help to choose a contained period of time to let the tears out. It may seem strange -– scheduling in some time to cry. But it's surprisingly effective and freeing.

Creating a Safe Place and Time For Tears

The first step is to choose a day and time. If reading this has you tearing up, perhaps that time should be sooner than later. You might set aside just 15 minutes, or a few hours. As long as you will be able to be alone and feel free to cry and express yourself during that time frame.

It's important that you set a start and an end time. This isn't to say that you are not allowed to feel sad after the time limit, of course not. But it can feel safer to know that you won't cry forever once you start. Plus, if you do find the sadness creeping in all day, this can provide a way to express the sadness, but keep it from taking over completely.

The next step is to choose a place where you'll feel safe enough to let go. That place may be at home, or it may be in a wood near your office. If you're at work, and really need 10 minutes to cry to get through the day, you might decide to drive to an empty parking lot.

Once you have a day, time, and place, you might want to use music, writing, art, or a movie to help you get the tears going. When you've been holding back for a long time, the tears can get stuck. When I'm feeling the need to cry, I watch sad movies. As for music, I have on my iPod playlists by mood. Crying music, comfort music, happy music... Seriously: It helps.

Another trick I've used is to write myself a letter, saying all those things I'd say to someone else in my situation. (Isn't it funny how forgiving and kind we can be to others, yet remain so judgmental of ourselves?)

It's also a good idea to offer yourself plenty of self-comfort. This might mean drinking a hot cup of herbal tea, or wrapping yourself up in a blanket or towel just out of the drier.A hot bubble bath. Do whatever you need to do to feel cared and loved. You might even rock yourself back and forth gently. Rocking soothes the nervous system.

Don't feel like you have to cry. If you can't cry, that's also ok. Any time spent taking care of your emotional self is time well spent.

When the time is up, choose an ending or transitional activity. Maybe some upbeat music, or a brisk walk outside. Something to signal to your emotional self that you've listened, you've acknowledged the sadness, and now, it's time to get back into your life.

Schedule these moments whenever you need, whether it's once a week, once every few weeks, or even 15 minutes every day, during a really difficult time.

If you feel that the sadness is taking over your life, and these short moments aren't enough, seriously consider finding a professional therapist to speak with.

At first, it can feel scary to stop holding back the tears, and it might feel like you'll never stop crying. But you'll see, while it hurts when you're in the moment, afterwards, your heart will feel a little bit lighter.

Safe Places to Deal With Pain

Motivational speakers use anecdotes and humour to inspire people to reach their potential.

I am a firm believer in the therapeutic power of laughter. However, I also believe people need to cry. It is important for people to create safe places within their lives to work through pain. Deep within each person is a need to release the emotional impact of painful events. Holding onto these traumatized emotions places us at risk of emotional and physical consequences. Medical health experts tell us that 80 per cent of people in hospitals today are there because of emotion-related illnesses. Unfortunately, crying has been labelled by many cultures as a sign of weakness and, from an early age, children are discouraged from expressing emotion. Still, there is a child within every adult looking for permission to express pent-up emotions.

Whether conscious of it or not, every person is looking for an opportunity to express unresolved emotions. To suppress emotion is to cause an imbalance between the head and heart. Every person has the ability to think and feel, and both are required to live a complete, fulfilled life. The problem here has to do with the issue of pain. The pain of certain memories and the emotions they stir up can be so intense that a person will do almost anything to avoid them. The main strategy is to suppress emotions until they are almost completely dormant. The problem with this is that all emotions come as a package deal. When a person suppresses painful emotions, they also suppress the ability to experience positive, pleasurable emotions. Emotionally suppressed people can easily become the living, walking dead. They lack any spark or passion about life. They have lost the ability to feel their lives.

For better or worse, I want to be able to feel my life. This is why it is so important that I seek out safe places to work through pain and restore emotions. These safe places may take the form of an individual, a group of people even a blog like this one, that provides the ability to express real, honest thoughts and feelings. As scary as the prospect may be, the payoff is to feel your life. What are you willing to do to feel once again?