Recurrence recommended immediately after a miscarriage

Short waiting time after miscarriages increases chances for live birth
A miscarriage is a tragic moment in life. How long should couples wait until they try again to have a baby? Scientists are now trying to figure out when it's best to be pregnant again after a miscarriage.

When couples miscarry many people find it difficult to make another attempt to have a baby in the near future. If women get pregnant again within three months after a miscarriage, but this increases the likelihood of a live birth, say US scientists based on a recent study. The researchers published the results of their research in the journal "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Women who are mentally ready for a new pregnancy after a miscarriage should not wait. (Image: RioPatuca Images / fotolia.com)

Study of over 1,000 women with miscarriage brings new findings
Women who have had a miscarriage will often be advised by doctors to wait three months or longer before their next pregnancy. However, according to the current study, these recommendations might be wrong. The new findings suggest that women have a better chance of getting pregnant and live birth if they are conceived within three months of the miscarriage, said the doctors. 1,083 women were examined for the study. The vast majority of them had a miscarriage before the 20th week, without pregnancy complications such as an ectopic pregnancy or the growth of abnormal fetal tissue in the uterus. The investigation took place from 2007 to 2011 and the participating women were monitored over a period of six menstrual cycles, the researchers report. When the subjects became pregnant during this period, the researchers observed them until the end of the pregnancy.

Psychologically prepared couples should not wait with pregnancy
If women attempt to get pregnant again after a miscarriage within three months, the scientists are more likely to succeed. Almost 70 percent of all women who tried to get pregnant again within three months did so. In comparison, the value of women who had waited longer was significantly lower (51 percent). About 53 percent of women who had not waited had a live birth, the researchers continue. There were no major differences in pregnancy complications between the two groups. If couples are psychologically ready to start a new pregnancy trial, a recommendation to wait three to six months may be unjustified, the experts warned. However, it is clear that after a miscarriage some couples need more time to process the situation psychologically.

Soon new pregnancy can help to reduce mourning over miscarriages
According to the information provided by the US researchers, it must therefore be examined whether couples are physically and psychologically able to start a new pregnancy. However, previous research has found that a new pregnancy soon and the birth of a living child to reduce the grief over the miscarriage, said the doctors. In the study, the participating women themselves reported when they tried again to get pregnant. This could mean that appointments were not recorded precisely, the researchers continue. However, it is clear that there is no physiological reason why women should delay the next pregnancy after a miscarriage, the study authors conclude.