Motherhood is an exciting time in a woman’s life, but it can also be a real roller coaster, full of challenges and uncertainties. One of the most complicated situations that a woman wishing to have a child can experience is indeed that of miscarriage, because it is a painful event that raises many unknowns, and which has an extremely negative impact on motivation.
Among the questions women often ask are what the causes may have been (to avoid them, if possible), how long it takes to get pregnant after a miscarriage, how long you have to wait to try again, and whether there are any risks. In this post we will give you all the details about the main reasons, how long to wait and the chances of pregnancy after a miscarriage.
In fact, if you have unprotected sex, it is usually possible to get pregnant as soon as a woman starts ovulating again, however, full details are given below, as pregnancy may occur two weeks after a miscarriage or it may take longer depending on the individual or the circumstances.
What are the causes of miscarriage?
Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Most miscarriages are not caused by something the mother did or did not do but are unpredictable and very often unavoidable. But to better understand why they occur; it is important to know some of the possible causes.
Genetic abnormalities
The baby gets half of its genetic information (in the form of chromosomes) from the egg and half from the sperm. This picture of genetic material is known as a karyotype and consists of 46 chromosomes. When either of the two gametes – egg or sperm – has too many or too few chromosomes, problems occur. These karyotype problems often result in early miscarriages. When screening for repeated miscarriages, in about 5% of couples we find that one of the partners is a carrier of a chromosomal abnormality that was unknown to them. The older the age of the man or woman does not mean that there are alterations in their chromosomes, as this information is the same from birth. What changes with age is the quality of the gametes and these will determine that the embryo that is formed may subsequently have chromosomal alterations.
Hormonal problems
Hormonal disturbances can also cause miscarriages. The menstrual cycle works with clockwork precision thanks to a hormonal axis. Any disruption to this axis causes the clock to stop or malfunction. For example, a progesterone deficiency or a thyroid disorder can cause miscarriages, as can diabetes.
Problems in the uterus
Certain uterine circumstances (for example, a septate uterus) can increase the risk of miscarriage and are often diagnosed when trying to have offspring.
Infections and chronic diseases
Certain infections or chronic diseases that are poorly controlled can also lead to miscarriages. Among the former, the most common is bacterial vaginosis, which is a disturbance in the balance of the bacterial flora in the vagina. Douching or unprotected sex can increase the risk.
Clotting problems can also interfere with normal placental circulation and increase the risk of miscarriage.
Maternal factors
Advanced maternal age, smoking or excessive alcohol consumption may also increase the risk of miscarriage.
Physical trauma or injury
An accident, or a fall in the early stages of pregnancy can also trigger a miscarriage.
How long should one wait before trying to conceive again?
It depends on personal circumstances and your doctor’s recommendations, but it is generally recommended to wait at least one full menstrual cycle before trying again in order to allow your body to recover.
It should also be borne in mind that trying again is a personal decision. Miscarriage is a painful situation, and many women may not feel emotionally ready to try again in a short time and may need more months to process their loss before trying to conceive again.
When does the pregnancy hormone disappear after a miscarriage?
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the body during pregnancy and is the hormone detected by tests. Theoretically, it disappears from your circulation within a few weeks after a miscarriage, usually before 10 weeks. But in some cases, it may take longer for hCG levels to return to normal. In any case, hCG levels should be at zero before trying to get pregnant again.
Conceiving after miscarriage. What are the chances of pregnancy?
The chances of having a successful pregnancy after a miscarriage are high. Most women (85%) succeed. But these chances depend, as always, on individual circumstances. Factors such as those mentioned above can influence subsequent success.
Are there risks in waiting less than 6 months after a miscarriage for a new IVF?
When it comes to in vitro fertilisation (IVF), there are some caveats after a miscarriage. Most specialists recommend waiting at least one full menstrual cycle before undergoing IVF again, but recommendations may vary depending on personal circumstances. The decision should be made in consultation with a fertility specialist.
It is important to remember that every pregnancy is unique and that, with the support of fertility experts, many women achieve a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage.
