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• Part 1 of 2: Recovering from the miscarriage
• Part 2 of 2: Preparing for pregnancy

A miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of a pregnancy prior to 20 weeks and, unfortunately, is all too common in women. About 10% -25% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and in the aftermath, you can feel fear, sadness, and confusion about trying to conceive again. The most common cause of miscarriage is a chromosomal anomaly, which is unlikely to happen again. Most women who miscarry have a healthy pregnancy and birth later on, as long as there are no serious risk factors. Less than 5% of women have two miscarriages in a row.

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Part 1 of 2: Recovering from the miscarriage

1. Wait one to two months before trying to conceive again. It can be very difficult to deal with your emotions in the aftermath of a miscarriage and you may feel like you need to try and get pregnant again as soon as possible to move on. Some women feel empty and want to fill this void by conceiving again a few days or weeks after their miscarriage. But it is recommended that you give your body time to recover and rest by waiting at least one to two months or two periods to conceive again.
   • Physically, it only takes a few hours to a few days to recover from the pregnancy, and your period should return in four to six weeks. But it's important not to rush the grieving process and take the time to come to terms with your loss.
   • Some health care providers recommend waiting six months to conceive again, but no research has shown that it is necessary to wait that long to conceive after a miscarriage. If you are healthy, have had at least one period, and are ready to conceive again, you don't have to wait.
2. Rule out any medical problems or complications from miscarriage. Talk to your doctor about any risks or complications that may have occurred as a result of the miscarriage.
   • Some women may experience molar pregnancy, which is a benign tumor that develops on the uterus. This happens when the placenta develops into an abnormal mass of cysts, preventing a viable pregnancy. If you have had a molar pregnancy, it is recommended that you wait six months to a year before trying to conceive again.
   • If you miscarry because of an ectopic pregnancy or have had an ectopic pregnancy in the past, your doctor should examine your fallopian tubes to make sure either or both are not blocked or damaged. Having a blocked or damaged fallopian tube can increase the risk of another ectopic pregnancy.
3. Talk to your doctor about potential risks if you have two or more miscarriages. Women who have had more than one miscarriage in their lifetime should be tested to determine if there are any underlying problems before trying to conceive again. Your doctor can do tests such as:
   • A hormonal factor test: Your doctor will test your thyroid level and possibly your prolactin and progesterone levels. If these are abnormal, your doctor will treat you and retest later to check your level.
   • Hysterosalpingogram: This exam is done to check the shape and size of your uterus and any uterine scars, as well as polyps, uterine fibroids, or a septal wall. These can all affect the implantation of another egg during IVF, so it's important to have your uterus checked for these issues. Your doctor can also perform a hysteroscopy in your uterine cavity, an examination of your cervix with a small camera.
   • Other possible tests include a blood test or even DNA testing of both partners or an ultrasound.
4. Get tested for any other infections. To make sure you have a smooth pregnancy after a miscarriage, you should get tested for infections such as STIs and get treatment for possible infections before trying to conceive again. Certain infections can increase the risk of another miscarriage, including:
   • Chlamydia: This is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) that usually has no symptoms. If you or your partner may be infected, get tested and treated before trying to conceive.
   • Infections in your uterus or vagina: Your doctor can test you for any infections in these areas and give you treatment.
   • Listeria: This infection is caused by consuming unpasteurized cheese or milk.
   • Toxoplasmosis: This infection is contracted by dirty fruits and vegetables, as well as meat. Meat always cooked well and fresh fruit and salads were always good. Wear gloves when cleaning litter boxes and gardening, as cats carry this infection.
   • Parvovirus: This is a viral infection. It can cause miscarriage, although most infected women can have a normal pregnancy.
5. Seek therapy or coaching if you are feeling emotional or sad. Your doctor may be able to refer you to a support group or counselor for you and your partner as you go through the emotional process after a miscarriage. Talking to others who have experienced the same loss as you may help you find peace and closure. Going through the grieving process with your partner can also strengthen your relationship and better prepare you both for a new pregnancy.
   • You can also reach out to family and friends for support. Sometimes it helps to have someone close to you listen to your fear of conceiving again.

Part 2 of 2: Preparing for pregnancy

1. Have a balanced diet and a healthy weight. To reduce the risk of another miscarriage, you need to eat a balanced diet consisting of the four food groups: fruits and vegetables, proteins, dairy products, and grains.
   • Make sure your daily diet consists of five servings of fresh or frozen fruit, six grams or less of protein such as meat, fish, eggs, soy or tofu, three to four servings of fresh or frozen vegetables, six to eight servings of grains such as bread, rice, pasta and cereals, and two to three servings of dairy such as yogurt and hard cheeses.
   • It is also important to maintain a healthy weight for your age and body type. Avoid underweight or overweight. You can calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) with an online calculation tool and determine how many calories you should consume per day to maintain a healthy weight.
2. Exercise daily, but avoid strenuous activities. When you are recovering from a miscarriage, it is important that you do not exercise too intensively and concentrate on mild exertion, such as walking, yoga, or meditation. Adhering to a daily exercise routine will keep you feeling healthy and energized. It can also ensure that your body is at its best and ready to conceive again.
   • Light-intensity sports, such as yoga, can also help you reduce any stress or anxiety you may experience as a result of the miscarriage. Managing your stress is essential to staying healthy and ready for pregnancy.
3. Take prenatal vitamins and folic acid supplements daily. By maintaining a well-balanced diet and a healthy weight through exercise, your body gets many essential nutrients and minerals. But prenatal vitamins and supplements like folic acid have been shown to reduce the risk of miscarriage and having a baby that is too early or too small. Talk to your doctor about taking folic acid supplements to help you recover from miscarriage.
   • Folic acid supplements can help reduce the risk of neural tube defects such as spina bifida, where your baby's spinal cord is not developing normally. As soon as you are pregnant, you will be prescribed folic acid supplements for free.
4. Cut down on alcohol, caffeine and smoking. Research has shown that drinking, smoking and consuming caffeine can increase the risk of miscarriage.
   • Limit alcohol in your diet. Women who drink and drink every day, or drink more than 14 units per week, have a higher risk of miscarriage. Limit yourself to one to two units of alcohol per week or stop drinking completely while trying to conceive. If your partner is a heavy drinker, this can reduce the amount and quality of their semen.
   • Be safe and reduce or quit smoking while trying to conceive.
   • Pregnant women are told to limit their caffeine intake to 200 mg per day, or two cups of coffee. Keep in mind that there is caffeine in green tea, energy drinks and some soft drinks. There may also be caffeine in some cold and flu medications and chocolate. Try to cut down on caffeine, especially if you're trying to conceive.
5. If possible, avoid all medications and drugs. Unless your doctor recommends certain medications to treat an infection or other medical problem, you should avoid all medications while trying to conceive. Avoid over-the-counter and natural remedies. Natural medicines are not always regulated, so you should always consult your doctor before using natural medicines.
   • If you are taking antibiotics for an infection, wait until you have finished the course of antibiotics and the infection has cleared before trying to conceive.
   • If you are taking medication for an ectopic pregnancy, wait three months after treatment with methotrexate to become pregnant.
   • If you are being treated for an illness or infection, wait until you have finished the course of medication before trying to conceive.