Tips on Trying Again After A Miscarriage

No loss in life affects a mother as profoundly as that of a child, whether the child is a 6 weeks old embryo, a 39 weeks old foetus or an adult. There’s usually this feeling of fear, lingering sadness that is hard to understand, describe or come to terms with.

Left with empty arms and an aching heart, you are yet to decide on how to embark on this baby making process again. To brace up for trying again, here are the basics you should know:

When Can I Start Again?
Starting again depends on the causative factor of the loss, says our in house expert, Dr. Molokwu (OBY/GYN). These causes range from a miscarriage, to a still birth or an infant loss. Generally speaking, you must first allow your body and mind to heal considerably. And this certainly needs time. The decision on the best time to try again should be taken based on your doctor’s advice.

Reducing the Risks
1. Get a Second  Opinion: While this might be expensive, it may prove to be worth your penny in the long run. The fact remains that some doctors are better trained and more experienced than their counterparts in handling unique cases.

2. Check Your Stress Level: Have you wondered if your anxiety to have a baby might just be a contributory factor to your stress level? Some researchers have linked extremely high stress to pregnancy loss. Therefore, reducing your stress level may reduce your pregnancy loss risk.

3. Proper Diet: Majority of women focus on the baby and the pregnancy itself, but before conception takes place you need to make sure that your own body is in the most fertile, healthy state to nurture an embryo. Studies have shown that most women overlook experts’ advice to eat well and live a healthy lifestyle before becoming pregnant. As Professor Hazel Inskip points out, “The baby is at risk even before a woman knows that she is pregnant,” so start making diet and lifestyle changes, months, before you and your partner actually start trying to make a baby. Deficiencies in certain nutrients, especially folic acid and vitamin B12 can result in miscarriages.

4. Prescription Drugs: Certain prescription drugs can cause birth defects. So, if they are not safe to use during pregnancy they are not safe to use during baby making. Talk to your doctor about any medications you are taking before you start baby making.

5. Your Weight: Being your ideal weight or anywhere close can reduce the risk of having a miscarriage. A significantly overweight or underweight woman stands a higher chance of having a miscarriage.

6. Bad Habits: You probably have heard that smoking, and drinking alcohol do not mix well with pregnancy. Quit smoking, avoid secondhand smoke and too much alcohol as these increase the risk of pregnancy loss. Smoking during pregnancy can cause the fetus to die from lack of oxygen as well as increases the risk of placental abruption. Women who smoke cigarettes stand a high risk of having poor fetal growth which can result in a still birth.

7. Follow Your Gut: It’s sometimes OK to follow your instinct on any matter relating to your pregnancy. Whether it is to seek a second opinion, avoid certain foods or places. Whatever! Sometimes, you may not find a reasonable explanation for your intuitiveness. Just keep your mind open and stay positive.