Communicating is the first step toward healing. To find a better sense of closure, meet with your doctor and ask whatever questions you need to ask. And not just about your loss but about what you and your partner can expect in the future. Here are seven questions that may help you get all of the answers you need: Generally speaking, the most common cause of a miscarriage in early pregnancy is a chromosomal abnormality, which is a genetic anomaly that the body recognized as being non-viable. However, if there was a known cause for your loss or you experienced a specific type of miscarriage (such as a blighted ovum or molar pregnancy), you will want to get a better sense that means and whether or not it will affect your future chances. With that being said, there may be contributing factors to watch out for if you plan to try again. If for example, you have diabetes, hormonal problems, or thyroid disease, there may be risk factors you can mitigate, treatments you can try, or certain tools you can use to better monitor your pregnancy the next time around. Repeated miscarriages are mostly related to an undiagnosed condition that makes pregnancy less viable. These may include uterine abnormalities, hormone imbalances, an autoimmune disorder, or cervical insufficiency (a cervix which dilates too early in pregnancy). In some cases, these abnormalities are imminently treatable and may improve your chances of pregnancy moving forward. There are a few simple things you can do to better improve your odds irrespective of your age or health status. These including stopping smoking, losing weight if you are obese, or controlling chronic health conditions like diabetes. The simple lifestyle fixes can contribute greatly to achieving a healthy, event-free pregnancy. Testing can often reveal the underlying causes of your losses and help your doctor prescribe a treatment that may make it possible for you to achieve a safe and healthy pregnancy. Tests may include chromosomal analyses of both parents, imaging tests to check for uterine abnormalities, and blood tests to identify any infections, hormonal problems, and thyroid disorders. Whatever the response, ask your doctor to explain his or her reasoning. There may be physical concerns or issues related to the miscarriage that warrants a more cautious approach. Or it may just be general advice, and there is no actual barrier to starting earlier rather than later. Ultimately, the most important aspect of trying again is knowing when you are ready. The emotions surrounding a miscarriage vary significantly not only from person to person but from couple to couple. There is no “right” way to grieve or anything wrong with you if you are able to cope just fine. But if you do find yourself struggling to deal with the loss of a pregnancy, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health professional trained and experienced in grief counseling and miscarriage. You may never need the number, but it won’t hurt to have it close at hand if you suddenly do.
