Miscarriage- Conceiving After D&C

Updated on August 31, 2010
J.D. asks from Mission Viejo, CA
25 answers

Hi All,

My first time actually posting, but I've put my 2 cents in a few times. :o)

I had an ultrasound last week at my 1st prenatal check-up. The baby was measuring 6 weeks, and I should have been 10 weeks, as well as there was no heartbeat. I had a D&C yesterday. I feel really good. No cramping. Emotionally, I'm very sad about the loss of my baby, but I realize this is common, and it just wasn't developing properly. It was VERY hard for the 1st couple of days, but I'm comforted knowing it was so early. Even though I didn't know right away.

I have been scouring message boards for info about conceving after a D&C, but the answers are all over the place. I trust that I'll get lots of great feedback here.

I hear that you can conceive as early as 2 weeks after the procedure, and depending on the Dr., it's ok to do that. Has anyone here had any experiences that you can share? I am really looking forward to trying again!

Thanks so much!
J.

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So What Happened?

Thank you everyone for all of your encouragment and for sharing your stories! I knew everyone would be great have have lots of information for me! It's so sad that this has to happen to so many people. Keep your fingers crossed. I'll write in a couple of months when I get preggo again! THANKS!

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J.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I went through exactly the same thing - miscarriage at 10 weeks and a D&C. I was told by my dr to wait 1 month before trying again, which we did. I got pregnant the next month and now have a beautiful little 11 month old daughter. Good luck to you!

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R.J.

answers from Los Angeles on

As long as you are healthy, and the Doc. does not forsee any problems, you have a great chance of conceiving again. I had a miscarrage after 9wks. Approx two months later I was pregant again. Although at that time it was wait 3 months...15years ago. By the way, my son is doing great.

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K.M.

answers from Honolulu on

I had a D&C and was pregnant again 6 weeks later. I get pregnant easily, so I think that if you do not have trouble concieving naturally then a D&C shouldn't change that. Best of luck!

3 moms found this helpful
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A.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had a very similar thing happen to me. I went in for my 12 week check up and they couldnt find the heartbeat. The doctor did an ultrasound and we found that the baby was gone. It was totally devistating, especially since it was my first. I had a D&C and was ok too. My doctor recommended to wait until I had my first normal period. He also said that you have a better chance of conceiving within the first 3 months after a D&C because your uterus is in pristine condition. I was fortunate to concieve within 2 months and now I have a beautiful 9 month old daughter. Good luck!

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S.C.

answers from Honolulu on

First of all, please let me express my sympathy for your loss. I think its very courageous for you to write about your experience.
I had a D&C after a 'missed miscarriage' (no signs). The baby had stopped living at 6 weeks and I didnt find out until I was 10 weeks pregnant. It was quite devastating and although my Dr. asked me to wait, I went straight ahead and got pregnant the following month and now have a beautiful 4 1/2 year old daughter who is really a joy. I wish you luck. If its meant to be, it will happen.

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B.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

I know this is probably going to sound a little hippie woo woo. But I did a detox after my miscarriage. I figured my body was trying to tell me something...so I started trying again after I really felt like I was starting with clean slate. Hope this is helpful. Bless you for being so brave, hang in there and stay on the forums, communicate and educate. You can do it!!

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E.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

My last D & C was about 4 yrs ago. I was told to wait at least 3 months so my body could recooperate.
I got pregnant again, less than 3 month later, but then 3 days after finding out I was pregnant approx 6 weeks along (two positive test results) Then I got my period, very heavily and was told it was an early miscarriage.
Since there was no D & C involved I was not using an birth control. I got pregnant exactly 2 weeks after the miscarriage and my daughter will be 3 in January.

When trying for my son 10+ years ago I had a full miscarriage at @ 9 weeks along. Waited 3 months, then tried again. No problem getting pregnant. Everything was looking good at 9 weeks, did an ultrasound, saw and heard the heartbeat, Went back to the Dr at 13 weeks and the Dr attempted to do another ultrasound, she could not find a heartbeat. So I was sent to the hospital with a higher powered machine and found out the baby had probably died at @ 10 weeks. Thanks to no insurance I had to wait almost 3 weeks to get the D & C. I waited the 3 months tried again. Didn't get pregnant for another 3 months.
No problems at all.... until I tried to get pregnant with my daughter 6 1/2 yrs later.

I would definitely allow time for your body to recover from the procedure first. I think you'll have much higher chance of not having problems.

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M.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi there,
I'm sorry for the loss you are feeling. When I went in for my 8-week ultrasound there was no heartbeat and the baby was registering at 6 weeks. I opted to wait and see if I would miscarry on my own but 3 weeks later, nothing, so i had a D&C at 13 weeks. My doctor recommended I wait 2 normal cycles before conceiving again, and I conceived 2 months after that (4 months after the D&C). We now have a beautiful 15 month old daughter and I wouldn't trade her for anything. At the time I was devastated and questioned everything about myself (will i conceive again, did i do something wrong, etc.) but the more I talk to other women, the more I understand that it's just nature's way. Best of luck to you!

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K.T.

answers from Los Angeles on

My mom had miscarriages for years, then after a D&C (at age 36), voila! She had me. This was 30 years ago, so I'd say you have a great chance of conceiving and delivering!

P.S. She had my youngest brother when she was 45, so don't worry too much about your age.

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K.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

First off, I am so sorry for your loss. I've been there too, and it is a very sad time. I think that after the D&C you don't have to wait very long to be physically ready to conceive. With me, it took a couple of months for me to be emotionally ready. It only took us 3 months to conceive after my miscarriage.

My best advice is to just let yourself grieve - eventhough the baby was only 10 weeks, you were still attached to him/her. Once you feel better mentally, I firmly believe you will be blessed with another pregnancy!

Best of luck to you and your family!

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C.N.

answers from San Luis Obispo on

Dear J.,

I do not know how long you should wait before tryig to be pregnant again. When I was young and miscarrying they told me to wait a year, but that is probably not right - that was about 55 years ago and they know so much more now.

I do know that it is very hard to wait, but it would be a good idea to wait more than two weeks. Let your body rest for a month or two, at least, and listen to what the doctor says - that is unless he says go ahead now. You can wait longer than that.

C. N.

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B.B.

answers from San Diego on

So Sorry for your loss, I too went thru this several months ago. I was 9 weeks, and had no idea. :( Until I went in for my first app. You are right about going ahead and trying again right away. In most cases... It's always good to ask your Doc. My Doc. recommend I wait till one normal period and then to go ahead and try again. This is what we did and I am now 20 weeks preg. Good Luck to you..

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S.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. I lost a baby a few years ago, but it happened on its own. The doctor told me I could have a D&C, but I elected not to because I didn't want any scarring, knowing I'd be trying again shortly after. I was pregnant again within 5 months, but had yet another miscarriage early on. I got pregnant again a few weeks after that and now have a healthy 14-month-old son. I would keep taking your prenatal vitamins now, before you conceive, and during the pregnancy and nursing stages. The neural tubes are being formed in the brain before you even realize you're pregnant, and you need the folic acid. In my case, I was a little low on progesterone, so the my doctor had me rub some progesterone cream on my hips and thighs the first few weeks of my last pregnancy. You can conceive again, it will happen when your body is ready for the implantation and your lining has built up enough to keep the baby in the lining while it developes. The good news you have to keep in mind is that 1) You have had a healthy baby in the past and you got pregnant again. That means you CAN, and most likely will, get pregnant again. Also, after the age of 35, your doctor will most likely consider you "high risk" and it will be a good idea to consider an amniocentesis. It's a hard decision to do when you've had a miscarriage(s) in the past because there is a slight risk of another one. I think the results are worth the risk, but that they are only worth it if you would plan on terminating the pregnancy if there was something terribly wrong with the baby. Some like to still do it so they can plan for the deformity or developmental issue before the birth. I'm not saying anything will be wrong with your new baby, just preparing you for things to be a little different once you are carrying a baby to term. There are so many women having babies after 35 now with divorces and remarriages, better medical advancements, and people having more kids when their kids grow up. I have 17 and 14 year old daughters too. Anyhow, good luck. Try when you feel ready and let nature take its course. You probably have instructions from your doctor to not have sex for a few weeks after the D&C. I'm not sure how long that is, but you don't want to risk infection or more bleeding. Take care. I'll be 38 in a few days. We've haven't been using any birth control for about 7 months, and I'm still not pregnant again yet. Now I feel my little guy needs a buddy to grow up with. My daughters are 25 months apart and are best friends. Plus, before I get "too old" I want to have had the other one already. The risks of Down's Syndrome is very high once you get in your 40s. If I don't have one this year, I probably won't have another one, but will also be happy with the ones I have been blessed with. Remember...keep taking those prenatal vitamins!

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P.H.

answers from San Diego on

I wish that I could help you and give you some good info.. but after I had my D&C back in Oct. 06 I haven't been able to keep a pregnancy.. I have had 5 more miscarriages since then and the fertility clinic has been unable to figure out why... I hope that you have better luck than I have..

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D.G.

answers from Los Angeles on

Dear J.,

I know exactly what you are going through. My very first pregnancy ended in a miscarriage. I was one of the lucky ones (so to say) and had a natural miscarriage (no D&C). My doc told me that we can start trying again after my first period post miscarriage. I was pregnant my next cycle and my daughter is now 4 years old. Most docs want you to wait 3 cycles. As long as your body goes back to normal after your first then you should be ok to start trying again.

Good Luck and take care:)

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L.B.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi J.,

My first pregnancy ended in a D&C when there was no heartbeat at my 10 week visit. Also, three different ultrasounds showed no baby to speak of, just an oddly shaped sack. My D&C was pretty routine, medically at least. I too, was somewhat emotional about it, but that was 9 years, 4 children, and another miscarriage ago. I was told to wait until after one period before attempting to get pregnant again. That is exactly what we did and I was pregnant the next month. I think the purpose of that is to cleanse the uterus, and make sure that everything is in working order.

I am sorry for your loss. It was hard for me because it was my first pregnancy, but it some ways it probably wasn't as tough as it could have been because it was early enough that I hadn't felt the baby move yet, and it wasn't truly real yet. Still, it isn't an experience I wish for others to have to go through. It is still a loss. It is also a loss that you, the mom probably feels more strongly than anyone else. No one else has had any chance to get to know the baby, while you probably didn't have a moment where you weren't conscious of the little one growing inside you.

I hope all goes well on your next try.
L.

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J.S.

answers from San Diego on

J.- I have actually had 4 miscarriages with one being far enough along that I had to have a D&C. Today, I have 4 beautiful children and I'm 36 yrs old. When I had my D&C done, my MD told me I should try to wait 1-2 months to try to conceive again. This would allow my body to heal and anything remaining to slough off. Two months later I conceived. The trick with my pregnancies that I learned after my first two miscarriages is that I have to take a progesterone suppliment for the first 10 to 12 weeks to hold the pregnancy. Once you do conceive again, ask your doctor early on (before your first exam) if he can run some progesterone tests to make sure your level is increasing high enough for your stage of pregnancy.
The good thing is, is that you know you CAN get pregnant! That should be a reasurrance for you... your body will know how to bounce back from the D&C. ( I was 30 when I had my first child and 33 when I had the D&C. Your not alone! Good luck to you!!)

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A.V.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi J.,

I know you posted this quite awhile ago, but I just started searching the site to see if anyone had posted anything like this, and I found yours. I can not see the responses you got so I thought I would ask you directly. If it does not bother you that is. If it does bother you then please disregard my message. Our situations are almost identical. I went for my 1st prenatal appt on Feb 22nd, I was 9 1/2 weeks, and they also did not find a heart beat and did two more ultrasounds and found the baby had only been 7 weeks. I was completely defistated. As you know, that was suppose to be a fun appt, and it turned into a very very sad day. I also had a D&C the very next day. I actually had to go to the ER 4 days after because instead of feeling better I was feeling worse and getting extremely bad cramps. I had an infection. So 7 days on antibiotics and all better. The Dr. I saw, who was not my normal Dr. said to wait 2 months for emotional reasons to start trying again. I am ready, but I have to wait till my cycle starts again so I can follow it the next month. I spotted every other day for almost a week afterwards. I still have not gotten my cycle yet but I'm hoping my body gets back to normal soon. The nurse told me it could take up to 6 weeks for it to start again. So I was wondering how things had gone with you. Did you get any good advice? Have you had any success in trying yourself yet?

Again, I hope this message does not upset you. And I hope all is well.

Thanks again for responding if you can.

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C.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

J.,

I miscarried my first pregnancy and then had a D&C. I am sorry for your loss, it is hard to deal with. Remember that you and your husband need to deal with it in your own way as it is a loss to you both. Doctor wanted me to go 3 full monthly cycles before trying to get pregnant again. I miscarried January 2005 and my daughter was born February 2006. Mostly my doctor said that the body needed time to mourn as well as to get fully back to non-pregnant normal. Good luck with #2 we are trying as well.

C.

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J.H.

answers from Los Angeles on

I had pretty much the same problem as you with my second pregancy(my first pregnacy produced a beautiful baby girl). I had the D&C in early April. I know how emotionally tough it can be. Mine was at 11 weeks. However I am now six months into my third pregancy. My baby ws conceived in Mid -late june so if your husband and yourself are fertile you sholdn't have an issue. Just make sure you don't put too much pressure on yourself emotionally as this can sometimes mean it takes longer. Enjoy the intimacy with your partner and know that it will happen when it is meant to happen. Life has a way of working out that way.

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K.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

J.,
So sorry to hear about your loss. It is always sad at first but take comfort that they are in loving hands now. I have had numerous miscarriages as well. One right before I got pregnant with my daughter now turning 9 as well as one right before my son now turning 5. I had a D&C done each time because there was no heartbeat as well and recovered/bounced back quickly. My doctor recommended waiting 6 months both times and of course I am stubborn and didn't wait either time and got pregnant right away. You know your body the best so go with your gut. I am not a doctor but I would suggest keep trying if you get pregnant wonderful if you don't no harm no foul. Keep taking your prenatals and good luck.

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M.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I am so sorry for your loss. It is common, but very sad. I am happy to here you are so optimistic, and would like to try again. One of my friends just went through the same ordeal, and her Dr. told her to wait until after 2 periods. She waited and I am glad to say she is pregnant and everything is going well. I would not suggest any sooner, it takes a lot out of your body being pregnant and it would be good to be back to normal so that you are healthy and strong for the next one. Good Luck, I wish you the best

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K.D.

answers from Los Angeles on

My name is K. and I had a miscarriage & D&C in July 2001. I was also told the baby was about 10 weeks, but only measured about 7 weeks. They could not find a heartbeat either. I was scheduled for a follow-up appt. with my doctor in August 2001 but was able to cancel it because the bleeding had stopped and sex was no longer painful. I found out I was pregnant again in October 2001. I had a healthy baby boy in June 2002 (no problems with the pregnacy). I also have an older daughter who was born in April 1999. Hang in there, time heals!

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G.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Hello I miscarried at the gestional age of 17weeks the baby was the size of a 13 wk gestion. I had a d&c and the doctor said no intercourse for 6 weeks and no trying to concieve for 3 to 4 months. i hope that may help

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E.S.

answers from Tulsa on

I'm 34 yr old mother of 4 soon to be 5 (keeping fingers crossed) lost a baby Jan 7 had D&C went on with 1 menstrual cycle and whoa here we go again i am now 5 weeks prego and on complete bed rest from my OB, take note there are so many different opinions on this subject, if not from a professional then u have everyone's personal experiences. there is no answer that will ease your mind (take it from me). no one can tell u the out come. we must let nature take its course. and it wont hurt to pray (as i seem to do every time i get a free moment) the worry is there every time i go to the bathroom will i see blood? the cramping, is this the start of another miscarriage ?or is this implantation cramps? well to make a very long story (some what short). YOU WILL STILL WORRY, no one want to go through the loss of a baby let alone twice. but as u seek advice try to keep in the back of your mind that u are the only one that can know when your time is right,your body will let u know. J. u already have half the battle won u stated that your looking forward to trying again. many women need to seek help to get through the hidden pain that stays with them with the loss.so as u read that women can conceive as early as 2 weeks after the D&C, know that it is all very TRUE!! of course there are risks, but there are risks going out & getting the mail. just keep in mind every doctor believes differently. i hope i came close to answering your question. good luck to u and keep me posted to what happens!this is better then reality TV.

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