Sex after miscarriage

[bug_destroyer]

I had a miscarriage 9 days ago, after an 8-week pregnancy.  A transvaginal ultrasound measured the baby at 8 weeks, but with no heartbeat, and I ended up miscarrying that same night.  I miscarried naturally at home, and am pretty sure I passed all the tissue, since there was a recognizable fetus and placenta the first day, and I had only light bleeding the rest of the week.  The plan was to wait a few months before getting pregnant, but two days after the bleeding stopped (9 days post-miscarriage), we impulsively had unprotected sex anyway.  

My provider didn't schedule any follow-up visits, and I don't think they ever measured hCG levels, but I did get a positive home pregnancy test two days ago from the residual hormones.  I took it right after the bleeding stopped, out of curiosity.  Is that likely to keep me from ovulating for at least a few days until I can get back on birth control?

I work with pesticides at my job, so I don't really want to be getting randomly pregnant and not know about it.  Coincidentally, I hadn't had to work with any chemicals in the past few months, so I know it wasn't a factor in my miscarriage, but even that pregnancy was unexpected.  I had a lapse in birth control, abstained for two weeks, got a negative pregnancy test, and thought it would be safe to start birth control again.  I didn't get a period after that pack, so I tested again and apparently was pregnant.  (Though by the time I got an appointment, I had miscarried.)  So now I'm really nervous about what I can and can't do.  So... can you get pregnant nine days after a miscarriage?

[Dr_izzie_b]

From what I have experienced during 2 miscarriages , It is normal to have hormone levels high enough to show a positive pregnancy test. I tested positive with home pregnancy test after both of mine. I'm a pharmacist and did it just out of curiosity. The problem with home pregnancy test is that it doesn't show you the level of hormone. I was required by my doctor to do a follow up at weeks  1 2 and 4 just to make sure the hormone levels were dropping.  Don't let the pregnancy test scare you, make sure you follow up with the appropriate blood work.

[bug_destroyer]

Interesting.  I didn't know a positive pregnancy test 7 days after a miscarriage was worrisome.  Thanks.

[Sanjivani Wanjari, MD]

HI,
9 days after a miscarriage is too early to conceive. However the positive pregnancy test is worrisome. It may indicate the miscarriage was incomplete or there may be presence of luteal cysts in the ovary. You need to do an ultrasound scan to see that the uterus is empty. Consult a Doctor for an evaluation. Hope this helps.
The answer is based on information provided. Exact advice is not possible without a proper examination and investigations. You are requested to consult your Doctor. Take care and keep us posted.