pregnancy after stillbirth

Hi I had a stillbirth at 40weeks and 2 days last August by the help of a donor egg as I ahve endometriosis.  After the birth I had my period in 36 days and bled heavily.   First one after the birth.  Its 32 days to-day and just wondering if I could be pregnant again with my own egg this time breasts are tingling a litttle.  I was hoping to go and get my other frozen zygotes in again after Christmas but may not have to.   I have no other children, 14 years married so we were devistated.  What do you think or is it too soon to be pregnant after a birth.

[John Kim, M.D.]

I am sorry to hear about your stillbirth.  While it is unlikely, it may be possible, so I recommend that you contact your doctor to do a quantitative betaHCG blood test to check.

[twinkiedeacon]

If I do get pregnant again as I had a full term pregnancy which resulted in a stillbirth, have you any advice for me?   Anything to take, do etc?    Would you take the baby early?   As there were no anawers in the post mortem, pregnancy was perfect as the Gyma said, never sick etc,.   Just wondering if you have any advice?   Friend said take 1/4 asprin a day for blood clots but I ahve heard that this can thin the baby's blood!!!  You are a great inspiration to everybody and love this site.  Thanks again.

[John Kim, M.D.]

I recommend that you see your doctor to go over how the baby died. You may have approved an autopsy or pathology study of the placenta. You should find out what they found. In addition, your doctor may do a workup with lab tests to see if there is a reason for the stillbirth. Your OB would know which tests would be appropriate.  You may also consult a high risk OB doctor called a Perinatologist or Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialist to go over your stillbirth and make a plan for your future pregnancy. They often suggest fetal monitoring and earlier delivery if the future pregnancy baby's lung is mature.  Please contact your OB to discuss and make a plan. Do not take a baby aspirin unless your doctor has done the tests and feel you should take it. Remember to get support for going through this difficult time. I wish you the best.

[twinkiedeacon]

Autopsy and pathology study of the pacenta were all done, and nothing was found.   All results came back clear.   No reason for the stillbirth.   Baby girl was a healthy 7lbs.   I was never sick, took care of myself, only ate the best and did everything I was supposed to do.   Don't smoke or drink etc.   We never even had intercourse for the whole nine months.   Baby did an awful lot of moving for two days before she died.   Would she have been didtressed and wanted out?   Can a Mother tell if her baby is distressed?   I keep thinking it's my fault but doctor says that this was healthy but why would she have died?   bad heart???

[John Kim, M.D.]

It was not your fault. Please do not punish yourself. Please see your obstetrician or perinatologist to go over possible blood tests to determine cause and to make a plan for your future pregnancy.

[twinkiedeacon]

I have had all blood tests etc as I said before and everything has come back clear.   Nothing with baby and nothing with me.   Since I had my baby in August, my period was ver very heavy and came at day 36 in September and again day 36 in October and is also very heavy.   I still have to wear maternity pads. It lasts about 7 days also now.  How long will it take to come back to the normal flow and last only three days.   I always had a very regular cycle at28 to 30 days.  I presume it is too early to go for IVF again using a donor egg until my system settles down.   how long would you advise to wait?   Thanks again for your help.

[twinkiedeacon]

Got e-mail re response to the above question 10/31/07 and no response or how do I get to next page.  Thanks

[John Kim, M.D.]

I would recommend that you have at least two normal cycles before considering going forward. We do not know how long it would take for your normal periods to return but it usually takes at least 1 month to 3 months.

[twinkiedeacon]

Many thanks for your help.   I notice to-day that the period has settled down well, unlike the first time where it flowed for days.   It's just that I got a fright.  I still feel depressed and cry nearly every day especially during my period this time was worse.   I presume a lot of this is hormonal too at this stage.  I have heard that if I get pregnant again, that this could still continue and to try and not let myself get depressed as the next baby would feel it too.   How long should it take to settle in my system, a friend of mine says it could take up to a year for the crying to go.  I'm dreading Christmas and I think the best advice for me is to do shopping early and keep out of the shops.  People dont understand what I'm going through as they hadnt a birth and a funeral the one week!!  If they did loose a child they are not 14 years married and have none.   They usually just had a miscarriage.   I'm getting ready (in my mind) for my next treatment with my frozen zygotes.   It keeps me going.   Let me know your thoughts or what advice you have for me.   Is there any vitamins or minerals I should be on etc?
You are wonderful and give great advice to people like myself

[twinkiedeacon]

Got e-mail re response to the above question 10/31/07 and no response or how do I get to next page.  Thanks

[John Kim, M.D.]

I don't understand your question. I did not send an email to you. Thank you.

[twinkiedeacon]

In my e-mails, it told me that there was a response to my e-mail 11/02/07 and as you can see there wasnt.   It must be an automated service.   Please see question 11/02/2007, that's the one I am looking for your kind response to.   Apologies and thanks again.

[John Kim, M.D.]

I recommend that you seek professional assesment about your depression. Please see your doctor or mental healthcare worker as soon as possible, because after any pregnancy, any women can be at risk for postpartum depression or postpartum blues. You should be monitored by someone, as a precaution as well as to get help. I recommend that you should seek professional care and advice as soon as possible.

[twinkiedeacon]

What would happen if I don't get treatment for this postpartum depression as you so call it.   Would it not eventually dissapear?   I asked my doctor about being depressed weeks ago and he said it will take time.   I asked him if there was anything I could do or take and he said not really.   Could one get sousidal with this?  Everybody says time is a great healer.   I would appreciate your advice in this matter.   In a way its like an ordinary funeral, your friends are about and then they are all gone doing their own thing.   We don't annoy anybody and then you are on your own to cope with life.  

[twinkiedeacon]

Can you please reply to my messsage 11/06/07.  Thank You again

[John Kim, M.D.]

If you have postpartum depression then you can seek professional help for it by a mental health professional, if your doctor cannot help you. Postpartum blues which is not as severe can resolve. Postpartum depression can also resolve but there are higher risks of it not resolving and with potentially getting worse. Only your doctor or mental health professional can make this assessment for you. I cannot do this by this forum so I suggest that if you are having these feeling you should talk with your doctor or mental health professional.

[twinkiedeacon]

Ok I can have a look into it.   just another question.  It is twelve weeks since the stillbirth and I have had five stitches at the enterance as baby got stuck at the shoulders.   Intercourse is still very tender there in this area.   Is there anything I can do or will this take time to heal or will it be like most operations always going to be tender?  It's when the penis is going in and out in and out it hurts.   Thanks again

[John Kim, M.D.]

Please see your doctor about this. If there are still stiches and they are the dissolvable type, they should not still be there.

[twinkiedeacon]

I had my check up with my doctor at eight weeks after the birth and he said that everything is ok.   I'm talking about the soreness of intercourse, you know the trusting in and out rubbing of this areait feels very tender as i was stitiched between the vaginal passage and the anus entry along inside.   Will this tenderness go away after a while or how long will it take to ease off is what I'm trying to ask?   The stitiches were the dissolvable type and if they were there he would have removed them.  Thanks again.   Is it true that it is dangerous to get pregnant again only a couple of months after having a baby?   Yet I know people who have got pregnant a couple of months of doing so,   My friend says it is.   Please advise.

[John Kim, M.D.]

Most doctors want you to recover completely before attempting pregnancy again. That is usually at least two to three months. If you are still having pain in that area, you should see your doctor again. By looking at it, the doctor can tell if everything has healed properly and how much longer to expect pain.

[3girls94]

A related discussion, Risk of pregnancy after stillbirth was started.