Ovulation After Miscarriage: When Can I Conceive Again?
Ovulation after miscarriage can be a pretty tricky thing to figure out, especially with all the drastic changes that occur when the tragedy happens. Couples who try to conceive after a lost pregnancy often find themselves wondering just when they can start trying again. Here are a few tips on how to find out whether or not you’re ready to conceive after a miscarriage:
Hormones and Timing
Depending on a woman’s cycle, ovulation can begin as soon as 2-4 weeks after the miscarriage. During a pregnancy, the human body produces a hormone called Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, or hCG, which hinders the production of the pituitary gland hormones that govern ovulation. After the pregnancy tissue is expelled from the body, hCG levels begin to drop. The effect of hCG on the pituitary gland typically wear off after two weeks, and depending on the woman’s cycle, ovulation may begin a few days after that.
Given a regular cycle and an uncomplicated miscarriage, women can generally expect to ovulate within 2-4 weeks if their reproductive system is otherwise healthy. However, as cycles are typically a case-to-case basis, there may be some variation to this and it might take longer than four weeks. Keep this in consideration when tracking your ovulation.
Signs of Ovulation
After giving the hCG time to wear off, you can check to see if you’re ovulating in the usual ways. An increase in basal body temperature is often a good sign of ovulation. Another way to check is to monitor cervical mucus – it tends to get stringier and clearer the closer you get to ovulation.
One more option is to use ovulation predictor kits. If you opt for the kits, keep in mind that your cycle can still be a ways from getting back to normal. Some women, for example, might find themselves ovulating 7 weeks after the miscarriage, instead of the usual 2-4. The costs of trying the kits again and again can add up; if money is an object, you’re most likely better off monitoring your basal temperature and cervical mucus, at least until you are sensing your cycle is back to its regular rhythm.
When to Try To Conceive After You Miscarry
A lot of women who suffer miscarriages worry that they may be less fertile afterwards. Fortunately, this isn’t true. Although complications may arise from unnatural miscarriages (violent force, drug abuse, etc.), normal miscarriages have little to no effect on a woman’s fertility.
The best first step to take is to consult a physician after the miscarriage. That way, any abnormalities or shifts in your cycle caused by the miscarriage can be detected and properly diagnosed. The need to get diagnosed increases significantly if you have undergone several miscarriages.
Once you’re given a clean bill of health, you can then take the necessary steps to try conceiving again. First and foremost is dealing with the emotional hurt of losing your pregnancy. Some women may undergo a deep depression early on, and this may affect their chances of conceiving. Always keep in mind, the miscarriage was not your fault.
The trick is not to rush back into trying again. Allow yourself some time to fully recover – physically and emotionally – from the miscarriage, and you’ll very likely have better luck the next time around.
For tips about things that can help prepare the body for a successful conception after miscarriage, you are welcome to opt in to our email mini-course.
