Post-Miscarriage Cramping & Trying to Conceive: What to Expect

Question
Hello,

I had a natural complete miscarriage at 5w 2d on march 18th 2011. My husband and I resumed unprotected intercourse 2 weeks later and are trying to get pregnant again. I have not yet had my period. For the past week i have been having menstrual like cramping that has been sharp pains at time and lower back pain. I took a home pregnancy test last week that was negative and 1 today that was also negative. I am not sure why i am cramping so much. It constantly feels like i am going to get my period but it is not here yet. Is it possible i could be pregnant but hcg is too low to show on a test? Could it be something else or is this normal to cramp 4 weeks after a miscarriage? Please help

Answer
Dear Dee,
I'm so sorry about your miscarriage. It can be such a painful experience, both physically and emotionally, so allow yourself time to heal in all ways.
There is no set time when a woman ovulates following a miscarriage, although it is usually within a few weeks, so there is no way to know if you've resumed fertility except by testing.
Without an exam it really isn't possible to be sure what the cramping is from.
It would be a good idea to blood test your HCG levels to be sure that they are back down, and maybe even an exam, so you know that everything is healthy and fully healed inside.
I wish you the best of luck,
Sheva