Trying to Conceive after Loss
One of the first suggestions you will hear from your doctor is to wait. The waiting period may vary depending on your situation and your doctor. Most doctors will recommend that you wait at least two to three menstrual cycles before you begin trying again when you've experienced a miscarriage, stillborn, or full term delivery. If you have had a C-Section delivery, they may even recommend that you wait at least six months.
The reason most doctors recommend that you wait is because your body needs time to heal. Your vitamin and minerals become depleted during your last pregnancy. To help this, you can continue taking your prenatal vitamins to help restore the vitamins and minerals within your body.
Another aspect to look at before you TTC (try to conceive) is your emotional state. It's harder for a doctor to determine your psychological stand point and if your emotionally ready for the challenges ahead. Grieving is vital to your well being. If you rush into another pregnancy before you're ready, you could cause more emotional trauma when you deliver your new baby.
You must remember that your new baby will not and can not replace the angel you lost. Most women tend to become obsessive while TTC after a loss. Be sure that you don't do this. It may cause more stress and be more harmful to you by adding more stress. The decision to conceive may become very personal to you and your spouse. Be sure that you are emotionally ready to try again and be sure you gave yourself adequate time to grieve your loss.
Remember you and your spouse have been through a lot and must take the time to heal. Entering a new pregnancy with realistic expectations is vital. Having another child could also be a major part of your healing when you are ready. Before you plan on TTC, be sure your spouse is feeling the same way. You don't want to rush him/her into another pregnancy to quickly. It's important to remember that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. Your spouse may not be emotionally ready when you are. Be supportive of your spouse and their feelings. If you don't, you may end up causing more stress on the both of you.
When you feel your desire to have a child is greater than your fear of another loss, this is one sign that you are ready, and it's time to start planning to conceive. Here is a list of suggestions that you can try before you begin trying to conceive:
1. Take good care of yourself. - Eat a healthy balanced diet, be sure to get enough sleep, and take a daily vitamin. This can even be a prenatal vitamin.
2. Exercise- You should get your body toned into shape. This will help strengthen your body for the upcoming pregnancy.
3. Find an OB doctor you trust.- Some women may feel the need to switch their OB/GYN after they experienced a loss. This is not mandatory but it could help ease your nerves, especially if you feel any types of discomfort with your previous doctor. Make an appointment with prospective candidates, which will allow you to decide if the doctor makes you feel comfortable. You can also talk to the doctors to see what they plan on doing during your next pregnancy to help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Once you find the OB doctor, formulate a plan and stick to it.
4. Prep yourself physically.- Stop smoking (if you do), stop consuming alcohol, or drugs immediately. This increases your fertility and helps to prevent another miscarriage, stillbirth, or abnormalities in your baby. There are programs out there to help you. Don't be afraid to contact them if you need the help. Be sure to have a support group (friends/family) there supporting you. Reduce your caffeine intake to under 150mg per day for a higher chance of conception. Schedule a dentist appointment. This is to be sure that your teeth/gums are at their healthiest. This will help reduce the risk of an infection, which can result in a low-weight or preterm baby.
5. Schedule a Pre-Pregnancy check-up.- The doctor may want to run some tests, such as blood and a pap smear to make sure you don't have any medical conditions that may affect your chances of conceiving or your pregnancy. You doctor may do a postcoital test, which is a small sample of your cervix fluid will be taken shortly after you have sex during ovulation. Your doctor will examine the fluid and the sperm to see the condition of both. Your doctor may suggest updating your vaccines because it's important to do so before you get pregnant. Some experts advise that you wait at least 28 days after the vaccines to conceive.
6. Have fun trying to conceive.- Remember, the time it takes to conceive may be a long way away
and at times it does take a while. Be in the moment with your spouse and enjoy the quality time together. When the time is right, the test will come back positive.
The reason most doctors recommend that you wait is because your body needs time to heal. Your vitamin and minerals become depleted during your last pregnancy. To help this, you can continue taking your prenatal vitamins to help restore the vitamins and minerals within your body.
Another aspect to look at before you TTC (try to conceive) is your emotional state. It's harder for a doctor to determine your psychological stand point and if your emotionally ready for the challenges ahead. Grieving is vital to your well being. If you rush into another pregnancy before you're ready, you could cause more emotional trauma when you deliver your new baby.
You must remember that your new baby will not and can not replace the angel you lost. Most women tend to become obsessive while TTC after a loss. Be sure that you don't do this. It may cause more stress and be more harmful to you by adding more stress. The decision to conceive may become very personal to you and your spouse. Be sure that you are emotionally ready to try again and be sure you gave yourself adequate time to grieve your loss.
Remember you and your spouse have been through a lot and must take the time to heal. Entering a new pregnancy with realistic expectations is vital. Having another child could also be a major part of your healing when you are ready. Before you plan on TTC, be sure your spouse is feeling the same way. You don't want to rush him/her into another pregnancy to quickly. It's important to remember that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace. Your spouse may not be emotionally ready when you are. Be supportive of your spouse and their feelings. If you don't, you may end up causing more stress on the both of you.
When you feel your desire to have a child is greater than your fear of another loss, this is one sign that you are ready, and it's time to start planning to conceive. Here is a list of suggestions that you can try before you begin trying to conceive:
1. Take good care of yourself. - Eat a healthy balanced diet, be sure to get enough sleep, and take a daily vitamin. This can even be a prenatal vitamin.
2. Exercise- You should get your body toned into shape. This will help strengthen your body for the upcoming pregnancy.
3. Find an OB doctor you trust.- Some women may feel the need to switch their OB/GYN after they experienced a loss. This is not mandatory but it could help ease your nerves, especially if you feel any types of discomfort with your previous doctor. Make an appointment with prospective candidates, which will allow you to decide if the doctor makes you feel comfortable. You can also talk to the doctors to see what they plan on doing during your next pregnancy to help you feel less stressed and more relaxed. Once you find the OB doctor, formulate a plan and stick to it.
4. Prep yourself physically.- Stop smoking (if you do), stop consuming alcohol, or drugs immediately. This increases your fertility and helps to prevent another miscarriage, stillbirth, or abnormalities in your baby. There are programs out there to help you. Don't be afraid to contact them if you need the help. Be sure to have a support group (friends/family) there supporting you. Reduce your caffeine intake to under 150mg per day for a higher chance of conception. Schedule a dentist appointment. This is to be sure that your teeth/gums are at their healthiest. This will help reduce the risk of an infection, which can result in a low-weight or preterm baby.
5. Schedule a Pre-Pregnancy check-up.- The doctor may want to run some tests, such as blood and a pap smear to make sure you don't have any medical conditions that may affect your chances of conceiving or your pregnancy. You doctor may do a postcoital test, which is a small sample of your cervix fluid will be taken shortly after you have sex during ovulation. Your doctor will examine the fluid and the sperm to see the condition of both. Your doctor may suggest updating your vaccines because it's important to do so before you get pregnant. Some experts advise that you wait at least 28 days after the vaccines to conceive.
6. Have fun trying to conceive.- Remember, the time it takes to conceive may be a long way away
and at times it does take a while. Be in the moment with your spouse and enjoy the quality time together. When the time is right, the test will come back positive.