Coping with miscarriage? Find support for grief, learn when to try again, and understand future risks. Explore PGT options at Cada fertility clinic.
Key Facts About Getting Pregnant After a Miscarriage:
- Around 20% of all pregnancies end in miscarriage
- Causes can include genetic abnormalities, infections, and hormonal imbalances
- It's important to allow yourself to grieve and feel all the emotions that come with it
- Talking about your experience can often be helpful
- If you're experiencing intense grief or psychological distress, don’t hesitate to seek professional support
There's No Single "Right Time" to Try Again
Every year, millions of women experience a miscarriage—a deeply emotional event that can affect both physical and mental health. While it may feel overwhelming at first, know that many go on to have a successful pregnancy and welcome a healthy baby into their lives. The range of emotions, from sadness to hope, is completely normal after such a loss.
Pregnancy loss is still a taboo subject. Many women and men affected by it don’t feel able to speak openly about their experience. In reality, miscarriages are more common than many think—and often go unnoticed. However, people trying to conceive—especially those undergoing fertility treatment—tend to test early and may already be aware of a pregnancy at a very early stage.
In this article, we’ll explain how you can begin to process your emotions, regain hope after the loss of your baby, and when it might be advisable to seek professional support.
Considering trying again after pregnancy loss?
At Cada Fertility Clinic in Zurich, we offer Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT) to help identify potential genetic causes of miscarriage and support your chances of a healthy pregnancy.
Speak with our specialists to find out if PGT is right for you.
When Can I Try to Get Pregnant Again After a Miscarriage?
If you experienced an early miscarriage that didn’t require medical intervention such as a dilation and curettage (D&C), you may be able to try again quite soon. Ovulation can resume within two weeks of a miscarriage, and many women get their normal period around 4–6 weeks later. If your menstrual period has returned to its regular pattern, a urine pregnancy test can confirm a subsequent pregnancy. Some studies even suggest that a shorter interval between pregnancies—within a few months after miscarriage—may lead to a higher likelihood of carrying a pregnancy to term.
In cases of later miscarriage or heavy bleeding, your doctor may recommend surgical treatment or additional diagnostic steps like chromosomal tests or genetic tests. Blood tests may also check hormone levels and screen for autoimmune disease or blood clotting issues, which could affect your fallopian tubes or physical health. Prompt treatment helps reduce the risk of infection and improves future outcomes.
Learn more about when to get try again for a baby after a miscarriage:
What’s the Risk of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss?
Some studies suggest that becoming pregnant again within three months of a miscarriage may actually lower the risk of another loss compared to waiting longer. It’s possible that the body is still hormonally primed for pregnancy during this window, which might aid implantation and early development.
The risk of a second miscarriage is not increased after a previous miscarriage. It remains at about 20%, which is the general miscarriage rate.
Some women may worry about adverse pregnancy outcomes or the risk of complications in a future pregnancy. While the majority go on to have healthy babies, there are factors that can increase the likelihood of preterm births, low birth weight, or gestational diabetes. Recurrent losses or late miscarriage may also prompt further evaluation to reduce risk of pregnancy complications.
What Causes a Miscarriage?
First and foremost, it’s important to understand: you are not to blame for the loss of your baby. A miscarriage (also known as a spontaneous abortion) can happen at any point in pregnancy, though the risk is highest during the first trimester.
The risk of miscarriage is higher in women who have already had two or more miscarriages. Depending on the stage of pregnancy, possible causes include:
- Chromosomal abnormalities
- Cervical insufficiency (when the cervix shortens or opens too early)
- Blood clotting disorders
- Fibroids
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid disorders
- Being underweight or overweight
- Smoking
- Infections
- Sperm quality
- Egg quality
Every loss, no matter how early in the pregnancy, is a profound and painful experience. It is always a good idea to see your gynaecologist for a check-up and, if needed, to consider seeking psychological support.
What Emotions Might I Experience After A Loss – and What’s Considered Normal?
Everyone processes pregnancy loss in their own way. It's completely normal to feel grief or to worry about the possibility of recurrent miscarriage in a future pregnancy.
Give yourself the time you need—both physically and emotionally—before trying again. Some couples feel ready to try for another baby after just a few cycles, while for others, the experience is an intense emotional trauma that takes longer to come to terms with.
It's not only women who are affected by pregnancy loss—men are too. They may have a difficult time with their own grief, but also with the pain of seeing their partners suffer.
In some cases, it can even lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD refers to a delayed psychological response to a highly distressing event, such as a miscarriage or stillbirth.
One study found that 29% of women who experienced an early miscarriage showed signs of PTSD just one month after the loss. Other mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety can also occur and should always be taken seriously and treated by a qualified psychotherapist. Psychological care looks at the whole person—the interaction between mind, body and social environment.
When a traumatic event isn’t properly processed, or a mental health condition goes untreated, it can affect not only your own wellbeing but also your relationship with children born later. To find joy in life again and avoid long-term consequences from the trauma of losing a baby, it’s vital to process what has happened in a healthy way—through external support and by paying attention to your emotional state.
What Can I Do to Better Cope With the Loss?
Everyone processes traumatic experiences differently. The uncertainty about whether you’ll be able to get pregnant again—and whether you will have a healthy pregnancy—can weigh heavily on your mind. But there are various coping strategies you can try to help you process your grief:
- Allow yourself to feel: It’s important to give yourself the time and space to grieve. Feeling sad, angry, anxious, or disappointed is completely normal. Accept your emotions and take them seriously. But never blame yourself—miscarriages are often caused by genetic abnormalities or other medical reasons beyond your control.
- Talk about your miscarriage: Open up to your partner, close friends or family members about how you're feeling. Speaking about your loss can be healing and helps you feel supported. There are also many support groups and online forums where you can connect with others who’ve had similar experiences.
- Make time for yourself: Look after your mental and physical wellbeing. A new hobby or activity might help take your mind off things for a while. If you’re finding it difficult to be around pregnant people or new parents right now, that’s completely understandable. Be honest and communicate your need for space—they will likely understand and reconnect with you when you’re ready.
- Give your baby a place in your life: Some people find it comforting to create a memory or ritual to honour the baby they lost. You could frame a scan photo, plant a tree, write a letter, or keep a memory box. These acts can help you say goodbye while keeping your baby close in thought.
- Seek professional support: If your grief feels overwhelming or you’re struggling to cope with the miscarriage, don’t hesitate to get help. A therapist or bereavement counsellor can support you in working through your emotions and finding a way forward.
- Start making future plans: It’s easy for negative thoughts and feelings to take over after such a loss. But try to look ahead and think about what you want for your future. Talk with your partner about whether you feel ready to try again, or if you’d prefer to wait a little longer.
Emotional Turmoil Before a New Pregnancy Is Normal
After a miscarriage, it’s common to feel a mix of fear, anger, despair and guilt. These emotions are part of the process and will likely ease over time. What matters most is not to ignore or suppress them. It can take several months for the pain and sadness to fade.
After a miscarriage, it’s natural to feel unsure about resuming sexual intercourse. There’s no ‘right’ or ‘wrong time’—listen to your body and emotional needs. If you’re uncertain, speak with your healthcare provider for reassurance.
At our fertility clinic in Zurich, we not only provide comprehensive medical care using state-of-the-art diagnostics, but also support you emotionally—especially when it comes to coping with the loss of a pregnancy.
