Experiencing a miscarriage at any stage is both heartbreaking and very confusing, leaving you and your partner with many questions and seemingly very few answers.
It is normal to have questions after going through something as difficult as pregnancy loss and communicating this can be very helpful as you begin the healing journey. Talking with your doctor and working towards finding answers may be the first step you need to move forward.
Here are 6 questions you can ask your doctor after a miscarriage.
1. Why did I have a miscarriage?
Having just suffered a loss, this is understandably the first thing you may be wondering – why did this happen? This is a pretty general question, however your doctor may not always know the answer, especially in early pregnancy loss, the reason may be unknown.
There could be many reasons for pregnancy loss, ranging from:
- Genetic abnormalities
- Infections
- Uterine abnormalities
- Hormonal imbalances
- Clotting issues, and more
About 50% of all early miscarriages are due to issues with the baby’s chromosomes and are responsible for early pregnancy loss, it’s often considered an unpreventable genetic mismatch that does not necessarily have a negative impact on your ability to conceive in the future.
If you’ve experienced 2 or more miscarriages it’s important to talk to your doctor to begin to uncover deeper complications that could be causing your pregnancy losses.
2. Is there any testing I should do?
If you do not have an answer for why the loss occurred, it’s natural to want to dig a little deeper to see if there are any underlying causes or something you can do to help prevent another loss in the future. Depending on how far along you were, your doctor may order tests on you and sometimes the baby to see if they can identify a reason for the loss.
Since the cause of pregnancy loss is not always black or white, you should work directly with your doctor to identify any definitive underlying causes and be sure to ask about testing for both you and your partner.
3. When can I start trying again?
Once you have taken time to heal both physically and emotionally, you may be ready to start trying again. Some clinicians recommend trying again with your next cycle while others recommend waiting 3-6 months to allow your body to heal depending how far along your pregnancy was and any procedures you may have needed after the miscarriage. You should discuss your history with your doctor and determine the next best step for you and your partner together.
Sometimes after a loss, your body may be going through some changes as your hormones try to regulate again. You may notice your cycle is a little longer, shorter, or irregular than what you were used to before. It may be a good idea to start tracking your cycles again to pick up on any regularities you may be experiencing and to determine if you are ovulating again.
4. What can I do differently next time?
Your doctor may have advice for you depending on your history and possible cause for the miscarriage. If you do have testing done and are able to find an underlying cause, they will make specific recommendations for you to help prevent another loss.
That being said, most women will go on to have perfectly healthy pregnancies after a miscarriages without changing a thing. Remember, a miscarriage is no one’s fault and often cannot be prevented.
5. Will my body be affected by the miscarriage?
This is a great question to ask as this can help you prepare for any body changes to expect after a loss. It is common for your body to take some time to heal and recover so knowing what to expect can help you mentally prepare for any necessary appointments or set-backs.
After a loss, it may take a little while for your cycle to return to normal. Irregular cycles have been reported after loss as hormones try to regulate and get back to their baseline. If it has been 3-6 months since a loss and your cycles and ovulation are not back to normal, you should discuss this with your provider as they may want to order a few lab tests.
Here are a few additional questions you can ask a doctor specifically about your body and the healing process.
- How long am I expected to bleed for?
- Will I be in any pain?
- Will my hormones be out-of-whack?
- Should I expect my cycle to be irregular for a little while?
6. Do you know of any therapists or counselors who specialize in pregnancy loss?
Miscarriage is extremely physically, emotionally and mentally challenging. All of the emotions combined with the physical healing process can be overwhelming and is navigated differently by each individual. Not every woman who suffers a loss may need grief counseling, however seeking counseling from a trained professional, especially one who specializes in pregnancy loss, may be the key to helping you work through your grief.
Talking to a therapist or counselor is not for everyone, however you may find it extremely helpful in the healing process. You may also want to invite your partner to join you because this loss may be affecting them, too.
It’s important to note that 99% of women who experience a miscarriage will have subsequent healthy pregnancies, only a small portion, 1%, may experience repeated miscarriages.
If you have suffered a miscarriage, our Premom staff knows how difficult a pregnancy loss can be and we continually send our love and support to any couple who has experienced the loss of a child.
Our Ask an Expert services are always available for your questions on your TTC journey.
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