Trying again after miscarriage
You do not need to wait
Older guidance suggested delaying for several months. ACOG's position is that there is no good evidence that waiting improves your chances or reduces the risk of another loss, and small observational studies show no benefit to delay.
Larger studies since have found no increased risk in conceiving soon afterwards. The historical six-month figure traces to a 2005 WHO birth-spacing consultation drawing largely on data from very different settings.
So the timing is genuinely yours to choose. Being emotionally ready matters as much as being physically ready — some people want to try again straight away, others need considerably longer. Both are reasonable.
The practical advice that does apply
Avoid vaginal intercourse and tampons for roughly one to two weeks after tissue has passed, to reduce infection risk. ACOG notes this particular advice is based on custom rather than strong evidence, but it remains the usual recommendation.
Wait until bleeding has settled and you feel physically recovered.
When to seek help sooner
See a doctor promptly for heavy bleeding — soaking more than two pads an hour for two hours — fever, severe pain, or foul-smelling discharge.
After two losses, ask for evaluation
ASRM (2026) defines recurrent pregnancy loss as two or more losses, and evaluation is offered at that point. If you are told you need three, that reflects older guidance.
The first step has changed too: array-based chromosome analysis of the miscarriage tissue is now recommended as the starting point, offered at the second loss. At-home collection kits exist — ask about this at the time of a loss rather than afterwards, because the opportunity passes.
If the loss was due to a random chromosome error, that explains it and avoids an expensive workup.
The prognosis
This is what most people actually want to know. 50 to 80% of couples with unexplained recurrent loss have a successful subsequent pregnancy with no specific treatment. ASRM frames conveying this as a provider responsibility.
Even after two or three losses, the odds remain substantially in your favour.
It was not your fault
Most early losses are caused by chromosomal errors in the pregnancy that nobody could have prevented or predicted. Around 50 to 60% of first-trimester miscarriages are due to embryonic aneuploidy — roughly 50% in women under 35 and 75% over 40.
Not lifting, not stress, not working, not something you ate.
Support
Psychological support is described in the guideline as an essential part of miscarriage care, not an optional extra. If you want it, ask — and if the anxiety of a subsequent pregnancy is difficult, early reassurance scanning has real value even though it is not a treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should I wait to try after a miscarriage?▾
There is no medical evidence that waiting after an uncomplicated first-trimester miscarriage improves outcomes. A large WHO study found women who conceived within 3 months of a first-trimester loss had equal or better outcomes than those who waited. You can try in the next cycle if you feel physically and emotionally ready. After a D&C, waiting for one normal period (4–6 weeks) is commonly advised to allow the lining to restore.
Does miscarriage affect future fertility?▾
One miscarriage does not reduce future fertility. The subsequent live birth rate after one miscarriage is approximately 75–85% without treatment — the same as for women who have not miscarried. After two or more miscarriages, investigation is recommended as approximately 50% of recurrent loss cases have a treatable cause.
What tests should I have after a miscarriage?▾
After one miscarriage, no formal investigation is required unless there are additional concerns. After two miscarriages, investigation is recommended: antiphospholipid antibodies, karyotype of both partners, TSH and thyroid antibodies, and uterine cavity assessment. Chromosomal testing of the miscarriage tissue itself (if available) is the single most informative test after any loss.
Will I miscarry again?▾
After one miscarriage, your chance of a successful subsequent pregnancy is approximately 75–85%. After two miscarriages it is 70–75%. Even after three consecutive losses without a known cause, the spontaneous live birth rate in the next pregnancy is approximately 50–75% with supportive care. Recurrent loss is not a guarantee of continued loss — and most treatable causes, once identified, can be treated effectively.