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How soon can you TTC after miscarriage?

I recently suffered a miscarriage at 8 weeks. I induced the expelling of the tissue by getting a prescription for Misoprostol to help speed the situation. My body was not recognizing that the pregnancy wasn't viable. I cried for 2 days straight before deciding on taking the medication vs. the D&C. My doctor said we could start trying  1 month or after my first AF.  Has anyone gotten pregnant before them & had success?  I am wondering if they recommend that you wait for medical healing reasons or if it's due to emotional issues. Does anyone know?  
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1128483 tn?1277340286
A few friends of mine have had a miscarriage and a D&C.  They both got pregnant either with the first cycle or the second cycle (depending on when they tried, one tried after  the first and the other after the second).  They both went on to have healthy babies.  

I was told to wait 3 cycles due to emotional reasons.  After doing a lot of research and talking to friends who've had D&C's found that you really should wait one cycle (although many women have gotten pregnant before the first cycle and have had healthy babies from what I read).

From what I read, by giving yourself one cycle that allows your body to make sure it expels anything extra that was in the uterus and also gives you a LMP to help determine due date.  Also I read that fertility monitors aren't accurate before the first cycle because you could still have hormones in your body from the miscarriage.

As of now, my husband and I plan on waiting a cycle before trying, because emotionally I couldn't bare not to be pregnant and have another child.  Also, I made an apt to meet with a midwife this time around to see If I want to use her as a dr this next time around, I plan to ask her opinion on when to TTC as well.  That apt is on the 23rd.

When I asked my last dr (OB) why 3 cycles and what if we tried before he basically said that if I did for some reason have a miscarriage that I would blame it on not waiting long enough to try.

Honestly, if you are healthy and had no other miscarriages (this was your first) then I've heard that it's not as big of a deal, however some women have other health issues and do need to wait longer to try again.  Also if its past the 12 weeks that the baby passes then I've heard you do need to wait longer as well.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I had a miscarriage 3 wks ago, they told me to wait until 2 cycles as the 1st one is always not a true period and waiting for the 2nd one can determin the due date better. I had a natural miscarriage and after the scan they told me everything looked bk to norm. I am hoping my period will be here nxt wk and we are not waiting for 2 cycles we are going to try as soon as I  have had my 1st cycle as I know I will only be happy again once I am pregnant. However it is different for each person, it depends on if your miscarriage was natural or not, whether everything has passed and is bk to norm and abut you as awhol i.e. how you are coping etc so I suppose only you know how you feel emotionally but physically is all back tonormal inside after the scan?
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Avatar universal
I'm okay I think. I haven't cried in 2 days which seems silly to some people but I have cried so much lately. I feel fine. I am now just spotting. I know I passed the sac on the first day b/c I actually saw it. It was mortifying but then again, I was glad to know that part had passed. The doctor said I needed to come in for weekly HcG tests to make sure my levels are dropping properly & the day after the sac had passed my levels had gone down more than half. I am hoping next Monday when I go in they'll be down even lower. I don't want to wait if it's only due to emotions. I have been more than ready. We weren't actively trying when we last got pregnant but we weren't using precautions either. Now that this has happened, we are more than ready to try again. I was just curious to what others have gone through. Again, this was mt only miscarriage with no warning signs until the ultrasound showed an empty sac. The only thing I worry about it the lasting effect of the Misoprostol that I was prescribed to induce contractions. I didn;t have a D&C so I don;t know how much "healing" my body would need.  I;'m so sorry for your loss. I know how hard it is. Most people have been wonderful but I really appreciate hearing from people who actually experienced it as well. I keep trying to tell myself it could be worse but I want so badly to speed up time so we can be pregnant again. Good luck. Keep me posted. And thanks for replying.
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1128483 tn?1277340286
I just thought I would update you on the past week of what I've learned etc.  I meet with a midwife and she said that after a D&C you should wait 2 cycles (I'm sure it's different if you didn't have the D&C since they scrape out the lining during the D&C).  so far I've heard three different stories from three different dr's.  The first said 3 cycles, the second said 2 cycles, and the third said to wait one normal cycle (Told by the dr who did my follow up apt).

My husband and I feel comfortable waiting to try once I get my next period as It should be here some time this week due to when I believe I ovulated.  That would put us at one normal cycle.

I'm glad your feeling better and I understand the need/want to just try again.  Did you like your dr?  I guess after the past few weeks I think the best advice that I got and took to heart was to talk to a dr (if it's the last one or a new one) and see what they'll do to help me feel better during the next pregnancy.  Since you had the miscarriage I'm sure you'll be worrying the entire time, try to find a place that helps make you feel more comfortable.  The midwife (A certified nurse midwife) that I meet with I have decided I really like.  Once I find out I'm pregnant I'll be seeing her as soon as they get me in.  She has evening hours so they work with my work schedule.  She also does an ultrasound at every apt if she doesn't hear the heartbeat (that's the gold ticket item for me!).  She also has the first visit an hour, and every other one 30 min so that way she gives you more personal time.  After meeting with her I'm not as scared about the next pregnancy (don't get me wrong, I'm still scared to death, but feel safer I guess).  

Also, after talking to the dr's it sounds like if you miscarry naturally there really is just an emotional reason to wait.  They give at least a little time due to in a D&C they actually scrape the lining, so after one cycle it flushes out anything left behind as well as starts to give a new plush lining.  After two or three cycles it gets more plush.  
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Avatar universal
I have gotten the same run around from various people as well. Its so hard to get a straight answer but I guess that's partially due to us all being different. My doctor originally said one cycle. I was okay with that at first because at the time, I felt so overwhelmed. I talked to my sister in-law who happens to be a nurse & she said, with a natural miscarriage or one using the medication to induce labor, they recommend a month but that's usually only to better date the new pregnancy as well as for emotional reasons. I wasn't sure how I felt then. My doctor has been having me come in weekly for HcG blood draws to monitor the levels. The day after the initial passing of the sac (sorry for graphics) my HcG levels was already down to the 2300s, The following Monday, my HcG was already to 36. Last week it was at 6 and then this past Monday, I was finally at 0.  The nurse who called me to give me the final blood results asked if I had had a period yet, which I haven't, and then said I should expect one soon. That was two days ago. I am kind of nervous for my period only because I have heard the 1st one following a miscarriage can be more intense than ones we have become accustomed to having.  But I am excited to have it come so I can feel normal. The nurse also said "Good luck, you can go ahead & try again!" knowing that I still haven't had a period. So I don't know. My husband is really nervous & wants to wait until the period because of the medication that I took to induce labor since I was unable to miscarry on my own. He's afraid that there might be lingering effects of the medication in my body that could potentially cause harm to a new baby should be get pregnant again quickly. I have been having my blood monitored so I know there's not but it's hard for us both, emotionally I guess. I don't know what we're going to do. Part of me wants badly to get pregnant again to move on but then part of me is worried & scared. I don't want to get all hyped up & actively start trying only to be disappointed if it doesn't happen right away but it's so hard to not chart my ovulation. I never had trouble conceiving in the past but this time, I'm just more nervous. I don't have an actual appt with my doctor until January 21st so until then, I'm just going to see what happens & hope for my period to come.
Keep me posted Cocacolapanda on your progress & success. I wish you the best!!!
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1128483 tn?1277340286
Well I hope you get it soon!  Mine just started this morning!  So far it's exactly like what I normally have.  This first "real" cycle seems to be exactly like mine should be except I've been having more PMS mood issues.  As far as the rest my cycles are pretty hard to begin with, lots of painful cramps and lots of blood, so far it's exactly the same.

Now that it's returned I do plan to TTC now, YEAH NO MORE CONDOMS, lol.  I am scared of getting pregnant too, I just don't want this to happen again especially since there isn't anything I can do to prevent it.  Since I had the D&C we needed to wait for the first normal cycle before we could try.  Now that I've had my cycle back It just feels like it's bringing new hope.

As for the meds in your body that they gave you, I wouldn't worry about it too much most meds get out of your system pretty quickly.  The longer you take them the longer it takes to get out of your system though.  Waiting for your cycle to return SHOULD be long enough.  Although if your really worried you can always call your dr's office and ask.  

I really hope that everything turns out well for you, keep me posted!    
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Avatar universal
Hey! Great news on having your period again. Sorry that it arrived just in time for the new year which hampers your festivities. I wondered though, when was your D&C?  I just wondered how long it took before your period came. Still no sign of mine coming even though the nurse said it would be here any day.

Hopefully, just like you said, this is bringing you a new beginning. I am always excited to hear peoples success stories so please keep me posted. A woman I work with had a D&C in late October, & is already 6 weeks pregnant so basically, she got pregnant immediately following her D&C. That gives me hope too.

I can't believe I am excited for my period as normally I would be dreading it but I just hope it gets here soon!  I will be checking here these next few weeks to see if you've success has progressed. I've got my fingers crossed for you.

Happy New Year!
Jessi
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Avatar universal
You wonderful ladies are all so strong & give me hope.  I have my D&C scheduled for wed & am so nervous.  I am 37 & have to conceive thru IVF due to a clogged tube & just hope that this doesn't interfear with anything.
I am so nervous & scared!!!!!!
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Avatar universal
Hey just thought  i would update you aswel, I got my 1st period on Xmas day would you believe!! I am on day 8 of my cycle and we have already started trying, I am praying to god that we will conceive this month as it would make us so happy! I am beginning ovulation testing on day 10 which is Sunday and then it's every other night loving required from then til about day 20 ha ha wish me luck :O)
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Avatar universal
I'm sorry to hear that you have a D&C scheduled. I understand your pain & range of emotions.  This may seem like the hardest time of your life.  It does get easier. I hated when people said that to me but from someone who went through it, I gotta say, I believe things happen for a reason. You will overcome this & bounce back ready & stronger to support a healthier pregnancy.  Good luck to you!! Keep us posted!
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Avatar universal
Congrats to you as well about a period! I am still waiting. My miscarriage was on Dec. 6th, so mine  hasn't been a month yet & my cycles are usually around 29-30 days so maybe this next week I'll have one but who knows, it could take weeks. I hope not though!  I tried to track my ovulation after the miscarriage b/c they say you're more fertile after one but then I've also ready that its very decieving b/c the tests might say you are ovulating & your not really. Since I haven't had my period, I might just focus on trying to lose some more weight. That's what I think is most unfair about the miscarriage b/c since it was my 2nd pregnancy (I have a beautiful 5 yr old daughter from a previous marriage) my body took on pregnancy weight real quick. It was hard for me to hide being pregnant b/c as my doctor explained, my uterus went into pregnancy mode from remembering when I was pregnant before so it explanded & I started gaining weight. Now that I have lost the pregnancy, I still have the weight. Not fair at all. So I think I will put all my energies into losing that so I don't drive myself crazy waiting for a period.  How many weeks did it take before your came?  6-8?  Just wondering since I'm not as far along in this process as you are. Good luck to you!  Please please keep me posted as your success stories are still helping me with my grievance & giving me hope.
Jessi
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Avatar universal
I came on within about 30 days of my m/c and I normally a 28-29 day cycles so I got bk  to normal pretty quickly!! You will feel miles better once you get period as then you can focus on conceiving again. I am feeling alot better now with trying again however I still feel sad that I lost the baby we had. xx
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418703 tn?1308825220
hi,
i have pcos and recently misscarried at 15 weeks. i really want to start a family but i dont want to replace the little boy we have just lost. i dont no why im feeling this way but there is all sorts of things running through my mind things like, he was such a perfectly formed baby from what i could see (we got to spend an hour and half with him) why had he been taken away from us the thing we had wanted for so long (ttc for 3 years) and most of all i dont feel im ready to start ttc again yet but there is something telling my that the spirit of our little one is still inside me waiting to be born again. do all this sound silly?
we had a minister visit the hospital to name (Alfie Lee)our little one and bless a chritstian which really helped us to let go and say my goodbyes.
i would like to thank all you strong ladies who have been sharing your experiences in this forum i no its hard but together we will all get by  xxHUGSxx
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Avatar universal
I am so sorry for your loss, I cried when I read your story. I think it is early days for you at the moment, it used to drove me crazy to hear people say time is a great healer but it's true, it's 2 half months now that I had my miscarriage and we have started trying again as this is the one thing I want most a baby and to delay that makes me miserable. I hope you get stronger soon but by having another baby when you are ready won't be replacing Alfie, you will never forget him. xxxx
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418703 tn?1308825220
thank you for your reply, wishing you all the best in ttc xx
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Avatar universal
I too, was sad reading your posting & want you to know that you can chat on here as often as you like. These postings have helped me so much with dealing with my loss. Hearing other women & what they've gone through has kept me going & become more determined to get through this. I realized that I am not alone and neither are you. Keep us posted on your journey as I hope the other women will do too.

As for me, still no period.  I am still waiting for it so w can start trying again. Its almost been a month since my miscarriage so I am hopeful to have it this week or next week. Keep you fingers crossed for me!
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1128483 tn?1277340286
Jessica -

My D&C was Nov 30th.  AF started Dec 30th, so about 4 1/2 weeks.  I had ovulation cramps on Dec 17th.  When I had the D&C the baby had been dead for 5 weeks and I'm pretty sure that my hormones were down to zero right after the D&C because I didn't really bleed after the D&C (only for like 12 or 24 hours).  I also after a week of no bleeding/spotting I had about 4 or 5 days of bleeding starting on (I think) Dec 8th or 9th.  At my follow up my dr said that that bleeding "COULD" have been an AF but no real way of knowing.  I REALLY wanted to wait until I had my first AF to start trying because I wanted to make sure I had at least a little more of a lining, and also wanted to make sure they got everything out, etc.  I hope everything goes well for your co-worker!  Happy New Year to you too!  Also I saw you mentioned that you put on weight from the last one.  It's funny because I lost about 10 lb!  It was my second pregnancy as well and I just couldn't eat because I was always so sick and felt full after a bite or two.  I did, however really start to show as well, I was trying to hide it from work because I didn't want to tell them yet.  I was actually going to tell them the week I found out about the miscarriage.

Kricket -

I'm sorry for your loss!  I was so scared for the D&C but it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be.  I really hope that everything goes well for you!  Just remember that you did everything you could.  So many women have miscarriages every year and most go on to have a healthy baby.  A friend recently told me that at some point in there lives every women is most likely going to have a miscarriage, not all will know about it though.  It's things like this that truly do make you a stronger person!

Wishing -

I'm so glad you got AF, I hope this cycle is the lucky one!  I'm on CD6 and we've already started trying :)  Most of the time I have ovulation cramps, but other than that I really don't "try" my husband and I just have fun.

7821shopperholic -

I'm so sorry for your loss, it's so horible to loose a child!  As everyone else said, it really is sad when reading about anyone loosing there baby.  I'm glad you were able to spend time with your little one, I didn't even know what gender mine was :(.  When you have another, it's never going to replace your little one you lost.  I have found it very helpfull to talk to women on this board as well as other friends who also had miscarriages.  Many women who loose there babies early on will do things to remember the baby and have found that helps them heal.  Mer personally all I wanted to do was try again, I'm going to be so worried until I can hold my baby in my arms.  The child I lost will never be forgotten, it was a little angle of mine that has helped me be a stronger person and helped me realize what is truly important in my life.  2009 was a hard year for me, but I know I'm a stronger, better person thanks to all that happened.
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Avatar universal
Well, I still haven't received my period after the miscarriage & its been 34 days. I decided to take a pregnancy test just to see. Sure enough there was a light second line. Its not leftover from the pervious pregnancy b/c I had been testing throughout the month & had negative results around Christmas. I'm not sure if I believe I'm pregnant yet plus I'm not sure it's okay since its so recent since the miscarriage. DH is freaking out. I haven't done anything & don't plan to for awhile. If it stick, it sticks. I'm not running to the doctor b/c I did that the last time & almost drove myself crazy.  Just wanted to update you. Keep your fingers crossed!!
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674725 tn?1367439630
Hi,

I've read this type of post so many times since I've discovered this forum.  I was told by my OB to wait 2 cycles - he said that if I got pg to soon then the chances of another m/c were higher.  Then after my 2nd m/c - which was 6 months after - he said I could start ttc after one cycle.  That beign said , I 've met many women who got pregnant soon after a m/c - some started even before the bleeding finished.   And they have or are about to give birth.  I read a couple times that the doctors say that to let you heal emotionally and physically.  good luck - I hope you're blessed soon !  
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418703 tn?1308825220
well its been 12 days since my m/c and strangly im getting heartburn like i was during my early stages of pregnancy could it be im pregnant again or something to do with my hormone levels? is it too soon still? me and my partner have had intercourse twice since.
congrats on your news jessica keeping my fingers crossed for you xx
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Avatar universal
well I took another test this past weekend & I am in fact pregnant again.  DH & I have decided not to tell anyone until later this time since we miscarriage at 8 wks last time. Basically though, I got pregnant 2 weeks after miscarrying previously so I am not sure this is going to be okay. I don't plan on going to the doctor until after I make it past the 8-9 week mark just to be safe. Good luck everyone!!!
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1128483 tn?1277340286
Jessica79LM - Congrats!  I'm so excited for you!  If you don't mind me asking, why don't you want to go to the dr till 8-9 weeks?  

Personally as soon as I get a positive test I'm going to be in as soon as they can get me so I can have an ultrasound and blood work.  We won't be telling family, etc till 3 months though.

I hope everything goes well!
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Avatar universal
Hi!

i'm in the same boat as you... Miscarriage started on 20th Dec and finally passed the sac (it was empty) on 1st Jan (miscarriage date?).

Now 11 days or so on  i woke up with heartburn and my boobs are tender at the sides. My husband and i have been having intercourse since the 5th Jan, a day after the bleeding stopped.  

Just wishful thinking or ovulation maybe??  

Jessica, big congratulations on your news i hope all goes well and i'm sure everything will be fine..well done xx
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418703 tn?1308825220
jessica congratulations i guess my crossed fingers worked for you im so happy for you xx

lounic i guess im kinda happy that iv found someone who is in the same boat as me isnt it strange that were feeling this so soon? please keep in touch i hope everything works out for you xx
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