Planning pregnancy after miscarriage .
25 year old Shreya was on cloud nine after her first scan and had also decided for the baby shower theme and venue. And then suddenly out of the blue she had severe tummy pain bleeding and all her dreams and world shattered before her. She lost her tiny baby forever..
Miscarriage or losing a baby can be the most traumatic experience for a couple and coping after that can be very difficult. Miscarriage is a very unhappy and frightening experience and the couple needs care and counseling about whether to try again and when to try.
When is the best time to get pregnant?
This is a very difficult question to answer as sometimes the woman wants to desparately get pregnant again whereas a part of her would be terrified even at the thought of going through the entire process .
There is no right answer to this question as it is also a decision the couple need to make together. The woman may need to recover physically .
It is absolutely normal to have mixed feelings about the next pregnancy of hope mixed with anxiety and excitement mixed with worry.How soon can you start planning?It is advisable to avoid sex till all bleeding has stopped to avoid infection and get at least one period before you can try again.
For special conditions like ectopic pregnancy , molar pregnancy or late or recurrent miscarriage your doctor may ask you to wait longer .
Thinking about pregnancy after miscarriage?
You might be feeling anxious or confused about what caused your miscarriage and when to conceive again. It is normal to feel anxious and worried about pregnancy after a miscarriage .
You may worry about conceiving again and possibility of recurrence and it is important to meet your doctor or counselor before you try again.
What defines a miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy before the 5th month.
Most miscarriages occur because the baby isn't developing normally.
Problems with the baby's chromosomes or genes are typically the result of errors that occur by chance as the baby grows and few times genetic problems inherited from the parents.
Sometimes a woman's health condition, such as uncontrolled diabetes or problems with the uterus or cervix, also might lead to miscarriage. Many times however the cause of miscarriage isn't known.
About 10 to 20 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage.
What are the chances of another miscarriage?
Miscarriage is usually a one-time occurrence.
Most women who miscarry go on to have a healthy pregnancy after miscarriage. Less than 5 percent of women have two consecutive miscarriages, and only 1 percent have three or more consecutive miscarriages.
Are special tests recommended before attempting pregnancy after miscarriage?
If you experience more than two miscarriages, consider testing to identify any underlying causes before attempting to get pregnant again.
Blood tests. A sample of your blood is evaluated to help find out any problems with hormones or your immune system. Blood sugar and thyroid tests are also recommended .
Chromosomal tests:
You and your partner might both have your blood tested to determine if your chromosomes are a factor. Tissue from the miscarriage — if it's available — also might be tested.
Ultrasound
This imaging method is used to detect any problems with the structure of the uterus which may cause miscarriage.
Even if the cause of your miscarriages can't be identified, don't lose hope. About 60 to 70 percent of women with unexplained repeated miscarriages go on to have healthy pregnancies.