How to Get Pregnant After Two Miscarriages

Occurring in 10 to 15 percent of all known pregnancies, miscarriage is defined as the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks, usually in the first three months. Two or more losses in a row are called "repeated miscarriage" but do not necessarily indicate a decreased chance of successful pregnancy.

Testing is available to determine the cause of repeated miscarriage, but according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), no cause can be found in at least half of all repeated miscarriages. Researchers agree that there is still a good chance to have a successful pregnancy and healthy baby even after repeated miscarriages.

Instructions

Preparing for Pregnancy After Two Miscarriages

1. Make an appointment with your obstetrician to discuss testing for causes of repeated miscarriage.
   Not all obstetricians will suggest testing after only two pregnancy losses. If a cause can be determined, it most often falls in one of these categories, according to the University of Chicago Medical Center:

   • Genetic abnormalities of the fetus
   • Hormonal imbalance
   • Metabolic disorders
   • Uterine abnormalities
   • Autoimmune factors
   • Inherited blood clotting disorder
   • Age of the mother

   Chronic medical conditions, such as lupus, heart disease, kidney disease, especially when linked with high blood pressure, thyroid disease, uterine infection and polycystic ovary syndrome also are linked to increased risk of repeated miscarriage.

2. Discuss treatment options with your obstetrician if a cause is found for the repeated miscarriage, as well as precautions to take when a new pregnancy occurs.

   Repeated miscarriage may cause anxiety over the fate of subsequent pregnancies. According to the American Pregnancy Association, at least 75 percent of women who have experienced two or three losses go on to have successful pregnancies.

   If a known cause is found for the repeated miscarriages, treatments are available and often result in healthy pregnancies. Medication for hormone imbalance, blood thinners for blood disorders and getting chronic medical conditions under control before becoming pregnant significantly improve the chance of successful future pregnancies, according to ACOG.

   If the miscarriages have no known cause, measures may prevent future miscarriages. Pregnancies following repeated miscarriages will typically be monitored more closely, especially in the first three months.

3. Get in optimal physical health, and prepare your body for another pregnancy. Before trying to conceive, have a complete medical work-up. Contact your doctor as soon as you suspect pregnancy. Avoid alcohol, illegal drugs, smoking, high levels of radiation and toxic agents.

4. Make an appointment with a therapist to discuss grieving and emotional stability before trying to get pregnant again. Many women are emotionally fragile following repeated miscarriage and should pay as much attention to mental stability as physical health before attempting to get pregnant again, according to American Pregnancy Association. Eliminating stress factors, such as problems between partners, family problems, financial issues and other personal problems as much as possible, can help ease the emotional stress of attempting conception again.

References

• American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)
• University of Chicago Medical Center
• American Pregnancy Association