A miscarriage is a very personal experience, and the way you feel afterwards will be unique to your situation.
You may be keen to try again immediately, as a way of helping you to cope with your emotions.
Or, you may prefer to wait a few months until you have dealt with any feelings of loss.
There is no right time to try for a baby after a miscarriage, it’s a personal decision that you and your partner must make together.
However, when you’re emotionally ready, here is what the latest research says.
When Can We Start Trying Again?
In most cases, you are able to start trying to conceive immediately. Some healthcare practitioners advise waiting until you have had a menstrual cycle, because this makes dating easier should you immediately fall pregnant.
Some doctors may advise you to wait a while before trying again. This may be down to your doctor’s preference, or could be based around your unique situation. You may question your healthcare provider’s advice to determine why they have set a particular time limit.
Research published in the British Medical Journal found that conceiving within six months after miscarriage offers the best chance of a healthy pregnancy.The study concluded [when compared to a 6-12 month interval]: “Women who conceive within six months of an initial miscarriage have the best reproductive outcomes and lowest complication rates in a subsequent pregnancy.”
It’s not just about being emotionally ready to try again, you’ll need to wait until you are physically ready to conceive again too. If you experienced a chemical pregnancy or early miscarriage, you may find that you ovulate as soon as two weeks after the miscarriage occurs. If the miscarriage occurred later in the pregnancy, you may find that it takes a few months for your hormones and menstrual cycle to return to normal.
Your healthcare provider will be best able to advise you on when it is safe to start trying again. If you advised to wait, you should do so. If not, then you can start as soon as you and your partner decide you are emotionally ready.
Tips For Trying Again After Miscarriage
To increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy, initiate the following lifestyle changes before you start trying to conceive:
- Increase your intake of folate
- Do not drink alcohol
- Do not smoke
- Reduce your caffeine intake
- Take plenty of rest and relaxation time
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet (organic where possible)
- Take regular exercise
- Reduce your stress levels
- Look at natural home cleaning products (reduce chemical exposure)
What If I Miscarry Again?
Experiencing a miscarriage in the past does not mean that you’ll automatically suffer another miscarriage next time. If you fall pregnant again, its understandable that you may feel anxious about history repeating itself. Talk to your healthcare provider about your anxieties, they will be able to offer you reassurances to help you feel more positive.
If you are feeling anxious about the pregnancy, you should speak to your partner about it. There may also be friends or family members who can support you through this worrying time, but if not, consider a specialised counsellor rather than suffer in silence. However you will likely find that once you are further into the pregnancy, you will find that your anxiety lessens. Women often report feeling less nervous once they have had their first scan.
If you do miscarry again, you might want to get tested for MTHFR gene mutation which affects how your body utilises folic acid and other forms of folate. This can result in miscarriage and other pregnancy issues. If you have MTHFR, you should stop taking folic acid and instead take folinic acid and methylfolate.
More Information And Support
For more information, you might like to check out the following:
- BellyBelly’s forum for trying to conceive after miscarriage or loss
- Check out our poll on when our members started trying to conceive after miscarriage
I had found out on February 23, 2018 that I was pregnant with my first baby. I am 34 years old. I started to bleed on March 4th, and it was confirmed that I was miscarrying on March 5th. It is a very sad situation, and it is nice to know that there are people out there that understands. You really feel like the world is passing by as your world has stopped.
Hi,
I had an early pregnancy loss on 23-3-17. How long should I wait to get pregnant? Any inputs?
Thanks,
Priya
Hi, I miscarried at 6 weeks October 24th, 2016. I was so devastated! It was my 1st pregnancy and my husband was excited. I was looking forward 2 being a mom. My dreams were shattered. My husband has been my strength. I bled for 5 days then it stopped. I am nervous about retrying.
Just wanting to know how soon after a miscarriage can you fall pregnant again had mc on 15th aug 2016 and that bleed finished on 24th aug 2016 i have been trying since cud i be pregnant
Thank you so much for recognising MTHFR! It concerns me how many Australian websites don’t. I am homo 1298c and have had 4 back to back losses in 2 years and get so mad when the Australian medical profession laugh at me and tell me it’s nothing to worry about.
I’ve just had a miscarriage july29,2016 I cry so hard I was so happy I was finally pregnant then found out I lost it but that wount stop me from trying again, I’m kinda scared but I really want my baby and you should try again too good luck
I had a miscarriage today on June 16,2016 I went to go wipe and it was a blood clot then wen I went to the er they said my cervix was oozing and they checked my hcg they said it was low and they said I just miscarried
I miscarried July 18th 2016, I also miscarried in April 2016. My body has technically been pregnant since February. We would like to try again, right away. I am nervous to miscarry again. I have a healthy 10 year old boy. I’m 40, I feel like my chances are running out.
I miscarried last night. At 10 weeks with identical twins. It was double the sadness. The worst thing i have ever been through,and damn it,it was the closest thing to a labour pain (i have goven birth to 2 big babies, i would have prefered to give birth to 10 more,just not to feel the miscarriage pain ever again). I want to try again. Now I’m desperate to have a third child. Only in that way,i will be able to forget about this painful experience,both,physically and emotionally.
I had a miscarriage 17/12/2015… The worst experience in my life i was 20 weeks pregnant and with a boy my first born.. Its so hard to accept…
I had a miscarriage today actually 17/2/2016 this was my second pregnancy My partner and I are absolutely shattered. We have been trying to get pregnant for the last 7 months and when our preys were finally answered we were over the moon I can’t explain the feeling. I came on this site to try and get some answers and closure and seen all of ur sad and wonderful stories. We still have so much hope to having a beautiful baby and I know within myself it will happen when it meant to. But for now my partner and I have each other for strength, courage and so much love to get us both through this hard and sad time. x
I am 42 yrs old lady I miscarriage on the 26th of December 2015 is there any possibility of getting pregnant again. I have no child yet. Am scared of no having child anymore . What should I do because i really love to child of mine own.
I had a miscarriage 3 days ago (8th December 2015) I was 8 weeks and it was my first pregnancy after trying for almost a year. My husband and I were shattered. I’m so anxious to try again but I scared.
I had a mc at 6 weeks and this was a shock because it was my second pregnancy. My son was born healthy with no complications. I am anxious to try again once my bleeding stops. Is it possible to get pregnant right after a mc?
Hi ladies. I had a miscarriage on the 13th of oct 2015 I was 7 weeks iam so sad but I would like to try again but iam so scared *crying* this is painfull and I was hoping for a boy and I strongly believe that it was a boy. Please help
Wait until you are emotionally ready. I too missed carried at 7 weeks but only knew about on my 10th week. Emotionally wrecked from the day i was told. Then i had to wait a week for the womb to come out naturally. Horrible time and im sure the pain you went through was the same for you. There are so many many reasons out there that could contribute to miscarage that my partner and i decided not to go through all those reason because it would destroy our family in the end. My advice for you is take the time grieve for your loss this is so important before you start again. My prayers are with you and your hubby. Best wishes
I feel the same. I just found out yesterday that I miscarried at almost 9.5 weeks (I was supposed to be 11.5 weeks along). It’s really hit me hard and I feel like I’m at a place where I really want to hurry up and try again because I feel like having a successful pregnancy is the only thing that’ll really make me feel better. We were so excited, our families were so excited. So this came as a blow to all of us. But I’m also super nervous because I don’t think I could handle this happening a second time. Miscarrying was my biggest fear from day one of this pregnancy and I know next time that fear will only be multiplied. I was curious, since I saw you comment was a while ago, how things have gone for you since your miscarriage? If you don’t mind of course, otherwise don’t feel obligated to indulge me
Is already 2016 and I’m hopping you did try to get pregnant again. I just lost my first baby on Sunday at 11 weeks pregnant. It is a really sad and emotional situation that not a lot of people understand. I feel depressed but can’t wait to try again. I know there is a baby out there waiting to have a mommy like me.
Sorry to hear that Jimena. . I too have just lost my first and although Ive had a cry and cuddle with my amazing boyfriend. . I know my perfect baby is yet to come. . . hope both of you are on your way to being great mums
I am having an MC as i write this…at 11wks and 3days. Currently at the hospital
My first miscarriage is almost 3 year’s ago now this was my second pregnancy. Had a 3 year old boy on first pregnancy.I waited 2 months to start trying again.I fell pregnant in the 3rd month and had a healthy boy one year to the date of my miscarriage! I miscarried again only two weeks ago at 10 weeks pregnant. Iv not decided when to star trying again.
I miscarried at 6 weeks on February 10, 2012. I was told to wait until I had a period and the try again. Needless to say, I didn’t listen, I was pregnant immediately, the first week of March 2012. I had a rough pregnancy, I was 36 years old, and I gave birth 5 weeks early, but luckily my son was healthy and didn’t need any medical intervention, we went home 3 days after he was born. My little miracle had low blood sugar for the 1st week, and was jondice(?) He is now 2 years old and a very healthy and active little boy. If I had to do it all again, I wouldn’t wait, but that is my personal opinion.