How long should I wait after a miscarriage?

Motherhood is an important moment in a woman's life, but it can also be a roller coaster ride, full of challenges and uncertainties. One of the most complicated situations that a woman who wants to have a child can experience is a miscarriage.

Some of the questions that women often ask after a miscarriage are:

• Are there any causes?
• How long does it take to get pregnant after a miscarriage?
• How long to wait before trying again and possible risks?

In fact, if you have unprotected sex, it is usually possible to get pregnant as soon as the woman starts ovulating again.

What are the causes of miscarriage?

A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks. Most miscarriages are not due to anything the mother has done or not done, but rather they are unpredictable and often unavoidable. But to better understand why they occur, it is important to know some of the possible causes.

Genetic abnormalities

The baby receives half of its genetic information (in the form of chromosomes) from the egg and the other half from the sperm. This image of the genetic material is known as a karyotype and includes 46 chromosomes. When one of the gametes (egg or sperm) has too many or too few chromosomes, problems arise. These karyotype problems often lead to premature miscarriages.

When performing tests for recurrent miscarriages, we discover in approximately 5% of couples that one of the members carries a chromosomal abnormality that they were unaware of. The advanced age of the man or woman does not mean that there are alterations in their chromosomes, as this information is the same since birth. What changes with age is the quality of the gametes, which will determine whether the formed embryo presents chromosomal alterations.

Hormonal problems

Hormonal disorders can also cause miscarriages. The menstrual cycle works with the precision of a clock thanks to a hormonal axis. Any disturbance of this axis causes the clock to stop or malfunction. For example, a deficiency of progesterone or a thyroid disorder can cause miscarriages, as can diabetes.

Uterine problems

Certain uterine conditions (for example, a septate uterus) can increase the risk of miscarriage and are often diagnosed during an attempt to conceive.

• Infections and chronic illnesses.
• Certain poorly controlled infections or chronic illnesses can also cause miscarriages. Among the former, the most common is bacterial vaginosis, which is an imbalance of the vaginal bacterial flora. Vaginal douching or unprotected sexual intercourse can increase the risk.
• Coagulation problems can also disrupt normal placental circulation and increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Maternal factors
• Advanced maternal age, smoking, or excessive alcohol consumption can also increase the risk of miscarriage.
• Trauma or physical injury
• An accident or fall in the early stages of pregnancy can also cause a miscarriage.

How long should you wait before trying to conceive again?

It depends on personal circumstances and your doctor's recommendations, but generally it is recommended to wait at least one full menstrual cycle before trying again to allow your body to recover.

It is also important to consider 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 period of time and may need several months to process their loss before attempting to conceive again.

When does the pregnancy hormone disappear after a miscarriage?

The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is produced by the body during pregnancy and is the hormone detected by tests. In theory, it disappears from circulation a few weeks after a miscarriage, usually before 10 weeks. But in some cases, hCG levels take longer to return to normal. In any case, the level of hCG should be zero before attempting to get pregnant again.

Conceiving after a miscarriage. What are the chances of pregnancy?

The chances of having a successful pregnancy after a miscarriage are high. Most women (85%) achieve it. But these chances depend, as always, on individual circumstances. Factors like those mentioned above can influence future success.

Is there any risk in waiting less than 6 months after a miscarriage for another IVF?

When it comes to in vitro fertilization (IVF), there are some precautions 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 each pregnancy is unique, and at NatuVitro our fertility experts carefully analyze each case and offer personalized solutions. Many women achieve a healthy pregnancy after a miscarriage with our support.