When can I conceive again after a miscarriage?

From the Research

You can conceive again as soon as you ovulate following a miscarriage, which typically occurs about 2-4 weeks after the miscarriage, and there is no evidence that conceiving shortly after an uncomplicated miscarriage increases the risk of another miscarriage. However, most healthcare providers recommend waiting until after you've had at least one normal menstrual period before trying to conceive again, which usually happens within 4-6 weeks after a miscarriage. This waiting period allows your body time to heal physically, your uterine lining to regenerate properly, and provides an opportunity to date a future pregnancy more accurately. For emotional recovery, some people may benefit from waiting longer. If you experienced a complicated miscarriage requiring a D&C procedure, your doctor might recommend waiting 2-3 months before trying again to ensure complete healing.

Key Considerations

• The optimal interpregnancy interval after a single pregnancy loss is controversial, but a study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology in 2020 found that conception before the first menstrual period after a spontaneous miscarriage was not associated with a higher incidence of subsequent miscarriage or any other untoward outcome 1.
• Taking prenatal vitamins containing folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) during this waiting period can help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.
• There's no evidence that conceiving shortly after an uncomplicated miscarriage increases the risk of another miscarriage, and in fact, some research suggests that conceiving within six months may be associated with a higher likelihood of a successful pregnancy.

Recommendations

• Wait until after you've had at least one normal menstrual period before trying to conceive again, which usually happens within 4-6 weeks after a miscarriage.
• If you experienced a complicated miscarriage requiring a D&C procedure, your doctor might recommend waiting 2-3 months before trying again to ensure complete healing.
• Take prenatal vitamins containing folic acid (400-800 mcg daily) during this waiting period to help prepare your body for a healthy pregnancy.

Important Notes

• The relationship between miscarriage and fertility is complex, and infertility can be a marker of an underlying chronic disease associated with infertility 2.
• Lifestyle and environmental factors, such as smoking and obesity, can adversely affect fertility 3.