Pregnancy After Miscarriage
From LoveToKnow Pregnancy
It is possible to have a healthy pregnancy after miscarriage. In fact, for most women, it's very likely. However, this may be of little comfort if you are mourning the loss of your child. If you are pregnant again, you may be feeling a whirlwind of emotions as you simultaneously grieve for your unborn child and anticipate your new baby’s arrival.
Experiencing Pregnancy After Miscarriage
In most cases, a miscarriage is unlikely to happen again. However, many couples choose to speak to a fertility counselor. He/she can pinpoint any factors that may have contributed and determine if there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of reoccurrence.
Even if you fear the worst, it’s likely that you will have a very normal pregnancy after miscarriage. According to the American Pregnancy Association, over 85 percent of women who have had one miscarriage will be able to have a successful following pregnancy. More than 75 percent of those who have experienced two or three miscarriages will eventually give birth to a child.
Many women who have gone on to have a second child after a miscarriage say the joy of becoming a parent helps to dull the pain they feel over the loss of their first child. In fact, it’s quite common for women to consider their second children to be “miracle” babies.
Finding Closure
To fully enjoy your current pregnancy, you must come to terms with the loss you have experienced. Many women who have become pregnant after miscarriage say it helps to express their feelings through painting, poetry, music, or other creative outlets. Others choose to bury baby blankets, toys, ultrasound photos, or small mementos in a private family ceremony. You may also want to consider making a charitable donation to your favorite non-profit organization in honor of your lost child.
While there is no definite timeframe for the grieving process, it’s important to recognize the signs that professional help may be needed. If you are experiencing any of the following, considering making an appointment to speak to a qualified counselor or therapist:
- Trouble coping with everyday tasks
- Overwhelming fear or anxiety about your current pregnancy
- Feelings of guilt about what you may have done to “cause” your miscarriage
- Anger towards your spouse or other loved ones
- Extreme pessimism about your current pregnancy
- Frequent emotional outbursts
Available Support Services
Since it can be difficult for those who haven’t experienced a pregnancy loss to understand your feelings, you may want to consider taking advantage of support services designed for women who have miscarried.
Many hospitals provide support groups for women who have experienced a miscarriage. There may also be organizations in your community that can help. Your healthcare provider or your local women’s center should be able to provide you with contact information for these resources.
If your schedule won’t permit attending a live support group or you feel uncomfortable with the idea of sharing your thoughts with strangers, you may prefer to express yourself in an online community. The PAM Support website is dedicated to providing emotional support to women who have experienced a pregnancy after miscarriage. Angel Babies Forever Loved, Hannah’s Prayer Ministries, and Born Angels provide support for parents who have lost a child through miscarriage, stillbirth, or early infant death.
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Comments
Ms. Chunky, it's possible. If you had a late miscarriage that your body had to recover from, you might have a regular cycle for a few months. But, especially if it was an early miscarriage, you could conceive right away.
-- Contributed by: HollySwansonIs it possible to get pregnant a month after you have had a miscarrige.
-- Contributed by: ms.chunkyNandi, I'm sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Your body may go back to normal quickly and you might already be able to conceive. If the miscarriage happened later in the pregnancy, your body will need more time to recover and return to normal. If the miscarriage happened early on, many doctors recommend waiting three months before trying to conceive.
-- Contributed by: HollySwansonThis page has been accessed 780 times. This page was last modified 05:05, 14 April 2006.
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