Getting pregnant again after a miscarriage

A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy during the first 5 months (before the 20th week).

Miscarriages are very common, affecting an estimated 10 to 15% of pregnancies. However, these figures could be even higher if unrecorded miscarriages are taken into account — particularly early ones. For example, there are cases where the embryo is expelled during a period, without the person even knowing they were pregnant.

It can happen early or later in the pregnancy. The majority of miscarriages occur within the first 12 weeks. This is why many people choose to wait until they enter the second trimester before sharing their news. Sometimes a miscarriage occurs within the first two weeks, and the embryo is lost during menstruation. It can, however, happen after the 12th week, though this is less common.

A miscarriage involves the expulsion of all pregnancy tissue. If it occurs very early, the embryo will be expelled through bleeding. If it occurs later, both the foetus and the placenta need to be expelled. In some cases, the body does not expel everything, and a medical procedure will need to be scheduled (a curettage).

You can observe the following points:

- vaginal bleeding ranging from light spotting to heavy bleeding

- uterine cramps

- abnormal discharge

- back pain

- sudden disappearance of pregnancy symptoms such as nausea.

That said, these symptoms can occur without you actually experiencing a miscarriage. To be certain, consult your gynaecologist, midwife, or another healthcare professional.

Genetic abnormality

The body detects that the future baby will have genetic problems due to abnormal chromosomes and therefore triggers a miscarriage.

Non-viable gametes

The egg or the sperm may have defects. Just as with a genetic abnormality, the body then triggers a miscarriage.

Blighted ovum

The embryonic membranes and placenta develop, but there is no embryo. It is as though there is a container without any contents. A blighted ovum is diagnosed by ultrasound.

Age of the woman and/or the man

The older we get, the greater the likelihood of miscarriage, as fewer gametes remain viable.

To find out more, take a look at our article on age and fertility.

Luteal phase deficiency

In other words, insufficient progesterone production in the second half of the menstrual cycle (during the luteal phase). This can result in a short luteal phase, leaving insufficient time for the egg, if fertilised and becoming an embryo, to implant in the uterus and begin the pregnancy. It will then be expelled with the period.

Fibroids

They could hinder adequate blood supply and sufficient space for the foetus. However, a large 2017 study involving 5,512 participants concluded that there is no link between miscarriage and the presence of fibroids.

PCOS

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) are in particular more susceptible to miscarriage. This is probably due to issues with insulin and inflammation.

Ectopic pregnancy

This is an embryo that develops outside the uterus, often in one of the fallopian tubes. The body may then trigger a miscarriage. If not, medical intervention will be necessary, as an ectopic pregnancy can be life-threatening.

Septate uterus

This is a malformation characterised by the presence of an intrauterine septum. It is often diagnosed by 3D ultrasound following a miscarriage or difficulties conceiving. A hysteroscopy procedure is one option to correct it.

Endometriosis

A 2017 meta-analysis and literature review concluded that "endometriosis appears to be a risk factor for spontaneous miscarriage, increased by nearly 80%".

Cervical insufficiency

When the cervix dilates during pregnancy before labour, this can trigger a miscarriage.

Problems with the placenta

If the placenta does not develop correctly, a miscarriage may occur.

MTHFR gene mutation

This is a gene encoding an enzyme required for the proper use of vitamin B9, among others. A mutation in this gene could potentially be linked to miscarriage, though the subject is still very much debated.

Diabetes

Blood sugar regulation issues can in particular increase the risk of miscarriage and complications during pregnancy.

Autoimmune disease

Autoimmune diseases (lupus, coeliac disease, Hashimoto's, Graves' disease, Sjögren's syndrome…) can also have an impact. However, having an autoimmune disease does not necessarily mean you will experience a miscarriage. 

Infection

Infections such as toxoplasmosis, rubella, salmonella, cytomegalovirus, sexually transmitted infections, Zika… and/or high fever can also play a role.

Consumption of certain substances

Taking medications or herbal remedies that are contraindicated during pregnancy may also have an effect. 

The use of drugs or alcohol, exposure to heavy metals, pesticides, pollution, and radiation are also problematic.

Amniocentesis

This procedure involves extracting amniotic fluid and therefore foetal cells. It can detect potential genetic abnormalities, which carry a risk of miscarriage in 0.5 to 1% of cases.

Losing a child is devastating emotionally, and also very demanding physically.

Processing your grief

In order to move forward with peace of mind, it is important to allow yourself to grieve, but also to give yourself time to turn the page. Do not hesitate to talk to your partner and your loved ones, and to seek psychological support from a professional.

Giving your body time

On a physical level, the time needed to recover varies. It depends in particular on how far along the pregnancy was before the miscarriage occurred. Ovulation after a miscarriage has no fixed timeline. If it occurred early (before 6 weeks), ovulation should return within 2 to 4 weeks. If it took place between 6 and 12 weeks, it should return within 4 to 6 weeks. If it was a late miscarriage, ovulation can return up to 10 weeks afterwards. If you received medical treatment, it may however take longer. To find out more, see our article on how to calculate your ovulation. 

During pregnancy, levels of hCG, oestrogen and progesterone hormones rise rapidly, and following the end of the pregnancy, hCG disappears while oestrogen and progesterone levels drop before returning to their pre-pregnancy cyclical rhythm. This hormonal drop can bring with it even more difficult emotions to manage, mood changes such as irritability, as well as stress and anxiety.

In the majority of cases, the return of periods after the end of the pregnancy occurs approximately 4 to 6 weeks later.

During this difficult time, it is nonetheless important to keep in mind that just because you have experienced a pregnancy loss does not mean you will necessarily have another one. It is entirely possible to get pregnant again and carry the pregnancy to term.

Giving yourself the best chance of getting pregnant after a miscarriage

While the uterus generally tends to recover quickly after a miscarriage and it is often possible to try for a baby again after the first period following the miscarriage, always ask your doctor when it would be appropriate to start trying to conceive again based on your personal situation. Resuming sexual intercourse is different for everyone — when you feel ready and when things are medically clear as well. 

Even though the miscarriage is not your fault, and there is no way to guarantee the outcome of the next conception, you can use this time to give yourself the best possible chance for this new pregnancy.

Here are some tools to help you get pregnant after a miscarriage:

• Identify the possible cause or causes with your doctor, and where indicated, work with them to minimise the risk of a future miscarriage.
• Consult other healthcare practitioners to work holistically: nutritional therapist, naturopath, chiropractor, osteopath, acupuncturist...
• Review any medications that are not recommended during conception and pregnancy with your doctor.
• Stop smoking, drinking alcohol or taking drugs.
• Include a variety of fruits and vegetables, quality animal and plant-based proteins, wholegrains (brown rice, quinoa, buckwheat, etc.) and healthy fats (avocado, olive oil, seeds, nuts, small oily fish...). Prioritise food quality and organic where possible. See our article on nutrition and fertility to find out more.
• Favour foods that support hormonal balance: leafy green vegetables, brassicas, berries, colourful fruits and vegetables (particularly rich in antioxidants), small oily fish (sardines, mackerel, herrings, anchovies...), quality animal proteins.
• Avoid foods known to disrupt the menstrual cycle: refined sugar, sweets, processed or ultra-processed foods.
• Review any potential deficiencies. If you follow a particular diet (vegetarian or vegan, for example), check in with your healthcare practitioner for medical advice and to avoid insufficiencies and deficiencies that may have an impact on fertility and pregnancy.
• Consider supplementing. Where appropriate, take a women's food supplement, to help your body recover from the miscarriage. You can discuss with your doctor whether iron supplementation might be appropriate, for example, following blood loss after the miscarriage. If you were not already doing so, you can discuss with your healthcare practitioner a suitable prenatal supplementation to optimise your fertility, the quality of your gametes, and to support a healthy pregnancy. For example, sufficient amounts of vitamins B12, B9, E, D and minerals such as iodine, selenium and zinc are necessary for implantation. These nutrients are found in a pregnancy supplement. At a minimum, B9 is the pregnancy vitamin essential.
• Involve your partner and encourage him to eat healthily, stop smoking, drugs and alcohol too... The quality of his gametes is very important and will be a determining factor in getting pregnant after a miscarriage. A male fertility supplement can help. 

Do not hesitate to ask for and accept help so that you can make time to rest!

Our range of food supplement after a miscarriage to prepare your body: 

Our nutrishot Cocooning+

has been specially formulated for the conception period. We have included zinc, which helps to support fertility. It can also have a positive effect on hormonal balance. Its blend of plants can also help to support healthy ovulation after a miscarriage. This blend also has anti-stress effects, which are essential when trying for a baby. 

The action of Cocooning+ is not magic, but its formula can give you a helping hand to help regulate your cycle after a miscarriage and also support you through this difficult period.

In addition, our range of prenatal vitamins can help you stock up on nutrients, address deficiencies, and prepare your body for the increased demands of pregnancy. 

Miscarriage is a significant and difficult event, both physically and emotionally. Ovulation after a miscarriage can take time to return. Taking care of yourself remains the best way to give yourself the best chance of getting pregnant after a miscarriage. If there's one piece of advice to hold on to: look after yourself!

Don't hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional for support.