Miscarriage: When to See a Fertility Specialist

If you’ve experienced a miscarriage, it’s natural to worry about losing future pregnancies. But while miscarriages are common, most people only miscarry once. And if you do experience recurrent miscarriages, seeking treatment from a fertility specialist may help you go on to have a healthy pregnancy. 

What Causes Miscarriage?

Approximately 50% of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities that happen by chance during fertilization. Again, while common, the good news is you’re likely to go on to have a healthy baby in the future. 

In many cases, the cause of miscarriage is unknown, though some health conditions are known to increase your risk of miscarriage:

• Antiphospholipid syndrome (a rare autoimmune disorder)
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Asherman syndrome (scar tissue in the uterus and/or cervix)
• Diabetes mellitus
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Congenital problems with your uterus
• Thyroid disease
• Infections
• Kidney disease
• High blood pressure

While these conditions increase your risk of miscarriage, treatment is available to help minimize your chances of miscarrying in the future. Talk to your doctor or fertility specialist about treatment options and how best to manage your condition.

Pregnancy After Miscarriage: When to Try Again

Pregnancy after miscarriage often involves intense and conflicting emotions, and when to try again is a very personal decision. As long as your doctor has determined that you’re physically healthy, you can become pregnant as early as the next time you ovulate, usually in about two weeks. If you experienced a second trimester miscarriage, you may need to wait longer to allow your hormone levels to return to normal.

There are some benefits to trying to become pregnant again right away. Research has found that a higher percentage of women (69%) conceived when trying within three months of a miscarriage than those who waited longer (51%). But if you need more time to recover emotionally, you still have very good chances of becoming pregnant and having a healthy baby in the future.

It’s important for both partners to cope with the grief of a miscarriage and agree on when to try again. Remember, it’s not your fault. If you or your partner are struggling with the emotional toll of miscarriage, seek help from your doctor, mental health professional or support group. 

When to See a Fertility Specialist

In most cases, you don’t need to see a fertility specialist after one miscarriage. But if you’ve experienced recurrent (two or more) miscarriages, it’s time to see a fertility specialist. 

A fertility specialist can check you for genetic problems, health conditions, and structural abnormalities that may contribute to recurrent miscarriages. While this isn’t typically necessary after one miscarriage, you’re always welcome to schedule a fertility consult with Dr. Sanaz Ghazal at Rise Fertility to set your mind at ease.

If you’ve experienced a miscarriage in the second trimester, it’s a good idea to see a fertility specialist to determine possible causes before trying to become pregnant again.

What to Expect At Your Appointment

We know that recurrent pregnancy loss is heartbreaking, so the first thing you can expect from your RISE appointment is compassion and respect. We’ll take the time to get to know you as a person and help you feel comfortable with your treatment team.

We’ll also take a detailed medical history and explore anything that may be contributing to your miscarriages, along with an ultrasound to help diagnose any underlying conditions.

You’ll leave your first appointment with Dr. Ghazal with a clear plan for next steps, and a complete fertility workup to determine the cause of your miscarriages. This may include screening for genetic diseases, checking for anatomical problems, screening for medical conditions that could impact your fertility, checking your hormone levels, testing your sperm, and evaluating your ovarian reserve.

What Fertility Treatments Are Available to Help?

Your team will recommend a treatment plan based on what we learn during your fertility workup. In some cases, no root cause may be found, but we can still help you with any of the following fertility treatments:

• Surgery to correct structural abnormalities
• Treating underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid problems
• In vitro fertilization with pre-implant genetic testing
• Removing fibroids or polyps
• Treating hormonal problems
• Cervical cerclage
• Medications, such as blood thinners, antibiotics, or metformin

We’ll also recommend lifestyle changes, like changing your diet, taking the right vitamins, and getting adequate exercise, that are all helpful for anyone trying to become pregnant, but especially for those with underlying conditions, such as PCOS or diabetes. At RISE, we treat the whole person, so you can expect your treatment plan to reflect your unique needs.

Schedule Your RISE Appointment

Miscarriage is a heartbreaking experience, but you’re very likely to carry a pregnancy to term in the future. If you’ve experienced recurrent miscarriages or a second-trimester miscarriage, we encourage you to schedule an appointment to see a fertility specialist. We’ll get started on a thorough evaluation and recommend the best treatments to help you end your fertility journey in baby steps.