A paper published in the BMJ today looks at the effect of interpregnancy interval on outcomes of pregnancy after miscarriage. Researchers found that women who conceive within six months of an initial miscarriage have the best chance of having a healthy pregnancy with the lowest complication rates.
Current World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines recommend that women who experience a miscarriage should wait at least six months before getting pregnant again. Researchers say this may need to be reviewed.
The researchers reviewed the data of over 30,000 women who attended Scottish hospitals between 1981 and 2000. The participants all had a miscarriage in their first pregnancy and subsequently had another pregnancy.
The results showed that women who conceived again within six months were less likely to have another miscarriage, termination of pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy compared to women who got pregnant between six and 12 months after their initial miscarriage.
Dr Tony Falconer (President-elect) said: “This paper suggests it is appropriate to conceive within six months of a miscarriage which is at variant to WHO advice.
“If you wish to be pregnant, trying again soon, whenever you feel physically and emotionally ready, does not increase your risk of miscarrying next time. It may be worth taking this opportunity to talk to your GP about anything you can do to prepare for a pregnancy.”
Friday 6 August 2010
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To view the BMJ paper please click here