After a D&C

[Anonymous]

After miscarrying at 8 weeks, I had a D&C. I have heard that women should wait longer TTC after a D&C than if they had let the miscarriage finish naturally. Any thoughts on when its safest to try again after a D&C? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry about your loss. I was told to wait til the 3rd cycle- but there is no science behind anything- i know a lot of people that got pregnant the first cycle afterwards and carried a healthy baby to term.. I was working with an RE so i had to pay attention- but due to my age- I was anxious to move on. It depends on how far along you were..

[Anonymous]

I also heard that. The theory being that more of your lining is removed with a D & C and may take longer to build back up. I had a natural miscarriage about 7 weeks ago. My ob said to wait 2-3 cycles. I've ovulated twice since the m/c and waiting for the 3rd to start trying again. I'm so sorry for your loss. All the best to you.

[Anonymous]

I am sorry for your loss. I also miscarried and had a D&C afterwards. My dr had said that she wanted me to wait a full cycle before TTC again (2 periods after D&C). We tried and were successful the following cycle. It is my understanding that your chances of getting pregnant shortly after a miscarriage are slightly higher than at just a normal cycle.

My recommendation is to start to try when you and your SO are ready again.

[Anonymous]

I also had a D&C after 9 weeks. I have heard this on this board before that your chances supposedly go up to get pregnant after a miscarriage but haven't read any articles supporting that theory.

I do know that you should wait till your hormone level HCG is back down (under 10). My doctor also recommended to wait for two full cycles before trying. I do think that is a good idea so at least you know when you're regular again and ovulating. (Otherwise you wonder every month if you're pregnant and maybe your cycles/ovulation are just a bit off...)

Other than that, I second what previous posters said, try when you are emotionally ready.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry for your loss.

I had a m/c and D&C at 10 weeks and was advised by my OB to wait for 3 cycles before trying again.

It was torture to wait that long but ended up being a good thing for us - it was a tough loss (first pregnancy) and I wouldn't have been emotionally prepared to start trying again sooner.

I think at a minimum it's good to wait one full cycle so that if you do conceive you'll know when your LMP was and there won't be stress or doubts about a new pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I had a miscarriage when I was 38, my gyn told me not to wait, time was not on. I did not wait, I was pregnant within 2 months of d&c. Gave birth to healthy baby boy

[Anonymous]

Sorry for your loss. I miscarried and had a D&C and I was pregnant again within 2 months. I had a full term 8 lb boy

[Anonymous]

I had to have a d&c two weeks ago after going in for a second ultrasound (at 11w,4d) and finding out our fetus was no longer viable. At the first ultrasound (7w,5d), we saw and heard the heartbeat (124, and were told 120-160 was normal). At the second ultrasound there was no hearbeat, but just a small fetal sack. Based on the size of the sack the doctors said the fetus didn't grow much after my first ultracound (so I probably lost the baby around 8-9 weeks). My body did not naturally miscarriage --- has that happened to anyone before? The doctors said it's not unusual/abnormal, but I just don't understand why my body would hang on so long to a non-viable fetus. This was our first pregnancy and I am over 35, so I am also anxious to try again. The doctors said we should wait at least two cycles but that seems like forever since I don't even know when I'll get my period again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I had to have a d&c two weeks ago after going in for a second ultrasound (at 11w,4d) and finding out our fetus was no longer viable. At the first ultrasound (7w,5d), we saw and heard the heartbeat (124, and were told 120-160 was normal). At the second ultrasound there was no hearbeat, but just a small fetal sack. Based on the size of the sack the doctors said the fetus didn't grow much after my first ultracound (so I probably lost the baby around 8-9 weeks). My body did not naturally miscarriage --- has that happened to anyone before? The doctors said it's not unusual/abnormal, but I just don't understand why my body would hang on so long to a non-viable fetus. This was our first pregnancy and I am over 35, so I am also anxious to try again. The doctors said we should wait at least two cycles but that seems like forever since I don't even know when I'll get my period again.

I am right there with you, though my body did eventually start miscarrying naturally (at 10w4d - baby measured 8w2d). And I think it is QUITE common for your body to be delayed in starting to miscarry, or in not completely miscarrying.

As for waiting, my 1st Dr and others I heard have said the 3+ cycle suggestion, but in researching this I haven't found any actual support for it. I believe it used to be that Drs wanted you regular for pregnancy dating purposes, but now that the early u/s can provide accurate dates, that's not really necessary. However the Dr who did my D&C and my midwife both recommended waiting 1 cycle (i.e. wait until after getting that first period back), and while I don't know that it's actually necessary, it seemed like a reasonable suggestion, and meshed with my own emotional needs - since I have a healthy 20 month old, I don't think this has been as difficult for me, but I still thought I needed that month to wait. So I am currently 3w2d post D&C and waiting on that period, and will be TTC thereafter. And I'm hopeful that period isn't too far off - my Dr said 4-6 weeks is common (though of course it depends on the individual), and the 2 friends I know who went through this both got it back at ~4 weeks. (Both had been regular before.)

Good luck to you, and I'm sure that healthy, happy pregnancy is waiting for you right around the corner.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the recent post. I went and had my blood taken yesterday and my Beta HCG level is 12--- so I have to go back next week and be tested again. The waiting to get down to 0/get my period back is so frustrating! And here is a new wrinkle-- my doctor told me to wait to try again until after I get the flu shot in October! Very frustrating!!!