Going to the doctor after you have suffered a miscarriage can make you have a variety of feelings. It’s normal to feel scared, to still be coping and suffering from your loss and to be nervous about experiencing pregnancy after miscarriage.
As you prepare for your upcoming visit, write down some questions in advance so that you can remember them. You may not get all the answers to the questions you have initially, and unfortunately, you may never get answers to some questions you face; however, it’s still a good idea to come armed with any questions you may have.
To get you started thinking, here are five important questions you may choose to ask your doctor about what comes after a miscarriage.
1. Can I do anything to lower my miscarriage risk in the future?
Your doctor will be able to give you specifics, but there are a few treatments available to those who suffer recurrent miscarriages. Ask for more information on what treatments might be available to you.
2. Will this happen again?
Your odds of having another pregnancy loss vary greatly depending on the timing and type of loss you had. If you’ve only had one early miscarriage, for example, you are less likely to have another loss than if you have cervical insufficiency. Your doctor or midwife may be able to give you some odds based on your specific case.
3. Do you recommend any further testing?
If you’ve had more than one pregnancy loss, or a stillbirth, your doctor may recommend you undergo some testing before trying to get pregnant again. Testing can reveal the underlying causes of your losses and help your doctor prescribe a treatment that may make it possible for you to have a healthy pregnancy.
4. How long should I wait before trying again?
Your doctor will be able to tell you if there is a certain time period you should wait before trying to get pregnant again. Advice varies on how long to wait after an uncomplicated miscarriage. Some doctors will advise as long as three months while others are comfortable with patients trying again immediately. Of course, it’s also important to ask yourself if and when you are ready.
5. Can you recommend a counselor?
Not every woman who goes through a pregnancy loss will need a grief counselor. Not everyone who grieves will develop clinical depression. But if you do need professional help to cope with your loss, your doctor or midwife may be able to recommend someone who is experienced in helping women after the death of a child. You may never need that name, but it certainly won’t hurt to have it available.