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Getting pregnant after a miscarriage or voluntary abortion is possible and the risks may be non-existent. Learn how to bring the pregnancy to a successful conclusion.
Pregnancy after an abortion is possible and very likely. In fact, it can occur before the next menstrual period. If you are not looking to get pregnant, feel insecure, or don’t know the reasons for the abortion, you should take care of yourself with contraceptives until the situation is clear.
Spontaneous abortions, before the 20th week of gestation, in most cases occur due to malformations in the development of the fetus. Also for diseases of the mother that are not controlled, such as diabetes.
What types of abortion are there?
An abortion occurs when the gestation of an embryo is interrupted in the first half of pregnancy, either spontaneously or voluntarily. A miscarriage is usually not inconvenient to get pregnant again. Not so in case of having been induced or if it was necessary to practice a curettage (curettage or cleaning of the uterine cavity).
Let’s look at the causes, characteristics, types and incidence of abortions. Consider that in any of the cases, whether spontaneous or voluntary, your health is paramount. According studies, it has been calculated that up to 65% of pregnancies end with subclinical loss.
Spontaneous
Spontaneous abortion is the most frequent. It occurs in 10% to 15% of pregnancies, before week 20.
Research state that it occurs in 1 of 5 confirmed pregnancies, in the first trimester and with a high incidence (more than 40%) if there are previous abortions. Possible causes include viruses such as cytomegalovirus or rubella. Or disorders that can make it more recurrent, such as chromosomal alterations.
There are risk factors, such as the mother’s age over 35, smoking, drug use, diabetes, high blood pressure, or thyroid problems. Nevertheless, the causes of an isolated miscarriage in many cases are not known.
Voluntary
Voluntary or induced abortion terminates the pregnancy due to human intervention before 180 days of gestation. Social or economic, eugenic or therapeutic factors are counted as the direct causes.
There are two types of voluntary abortion: chemical or surgical. The first is practiced only in the first weeks. The second is achieved with the aspiration technique, before 12 weeks, or with dilatation and scraping.
Sexual intercourse should be suspended for at least a week and in any case use condoms to avoid infections. Seeking pregnancy after a voluntary abortion it will have a more psychological than strictly physiological determination.
What are the risks for a future pregnancy?
Abortion tends to be complicated when the pregnancy is very advanced. Indeed, spontaneous or induced interruption could lead to complications in the uterus, even scarring (such as those of the Asherman’s syndrome).
Spontaneous
Spontaneous abortions are very common. The risks for a future pregnancy increase if it is losses recurring, which are estimated at 1% to 2% in fertile couples.
In recurrence there are genetic factors, uterine, age over 40 years or endometriosis. Also endocrinological, polycystic ovaries or infections. Any of these causes make it difficult to carry a future pregnancy to term after an abortion.
Voluntary
Elective abortion does not necessarily affect whether or not you will become pregnant again. However, the risks depend on the type of practice that was used.
Research point out that there is a relationship between induced abortions and premature births and low birth weight in the future. But this cannot be considered an inevitable relationship.
How long should you wait for a pregnancy after an abortion?
If you have had a miscarriage, you are most likely ready to get pregnant as soon as your menstrual cycle resumes. Of course, your mood, sense of loss, and anxiety are important.
If the abortion has been elective and there was curettage, it is prudent to wait at least three periods, so that the uterus recovers. On the other hand, the normalization of the menstrual cycle can take between one and two months.
It is natural that after an abortion, menstruation is late in arriving or does not return to the beginning in the way you knew it. But ovulation will occur in the first week or two after the abortion and you could get pregnant again.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends waiting 6 months to have less chance of miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy and premature delivery with a low birth weight baby.
When to see a professional?
If the abortion was spontaneous, a visit to the doctor can help you to clarify doubts regarding the continuity or interruption of the pregnancy. HCG blood tests will be decisive, as will an ultrasound. But if miscarriages are recurrent, you know it will warrant further study.
If the abortion has been voluntary, you should include a regular visit to the doctor on your agenda. It is the professional who will indicate to you, depending on the type and causes of the interruption, the prudent time to try a new pregnancy. Especially if there was curettage or any risk of concomitant infection.
Pregnancy after an abortion is closer than you think
Especially if you are the mother of a premature child or have had recurring losses, your desire to be a mother will lead you to be very attentive to your changes and hormonal rhythms. The slightest delay in menstruation prompts you to do a home test.
For the rest, healthy eating and staying away from environmental factors that negatively affect fertility is part of the strategy to achieve pregnancy. Two weeks after a miscarriage, you can get pregnant.
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