Trying to Conceive After a Miscarriage: Timing & Advice

Question
Hello Brenda,

I just had a miscarriage this past week and I would like to know if I start ovulating (because I am currently having my period) in 14 days or so, can I try again? I have been told to wait until January but I would like another opinion as to why I should wait. Thank you for your time!

Answer
Dear Sue,

The bleeding you are having now would not be considered a period. It is simply the bleeding related to the miscarriage. The first period after a miscarriage is usually 4-6 weeks later and rarely "normal". It can be heavier than normal, lighter than normal, have some clots, be very crampy or not crampy at all. One thing that is certain is that your first period will not resemble anything you've had before. To make sure it is really your first period, it needs to have been at least four weeks since your miscarriage AND you should have had about 20 days of no bleeding or spotting. For the estrogen threshold to be met, you should not be bleeding anymore for that amount of time. Otherwise the lining is not being rebuilt, and you are still experiencing progesterone withdrawal.

Technically, when things go perfectly, your first period will not arrive until 4 weeks after your hCG levels reach zero. Since most women will not be tested all the way to zero (which on your forms would show as "less than 5"), you will not know exactly when this will happen. In a normal recovery, it takes three weeks for the hormone chain to fire up again, and it will not be marked by bleeding or any physical symptom. You will only know that the new cycle worked by having a period at the end of it, between five and seven weeks after your miscarriage.

You should be using a condom if you have sex within two weeks of the loss. This is because your cervix is slightly open and you are very susceptible to infection. You may or may not ovulate during that first cycle. Because your hormones are still trying to get back into a regular pattern again and your body is still healing, the general recommendation is to wait through 2 normal menstrual cycles before getting pregnant again. This helps to give the next pregnancy more ideal conditions from the very beginning instead of your body starting out a bit depleted.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda