ready-to-try-for-another-baby

It's natural to want to try for another pregnancy. The recommendation is to attempt again once you are feeling physically and emotionally ready for the journey. Here are some tips to support you through this next stage.

Physical preparation:

Get a preconception checkup before you get pregnant to help make sure you’re healthy when you get pregnant.
Take a multivitamin every day with 400 micrograms of folic acid in it for healthy growth and development. Folic acid helps protect your baby from birth defects of the brain and spine, mouth, and heart.
Eat healthy foods and do something active every day to increase your heart rate and strengthen your muscles.
Reduce your use of harmful substances.
If you’re trying to get pregnant after a miscarriage or stillbirth, your body needs time to recover between pregnancies or after a traumatic event. Talk to your provider about when might be the best time for your body to try to get pregnant.

For most women younger than 35 who haven’t had a miscarriage or stillbirth, it’s best to wait at least 18 months (1½ years) from the end of one pregnancy before getting pregnant again. This gives your body time to recover before your next pregnancy.

Seeking support from a specialist can be helpful especially if you:

Have had two or more miscarriages
Are over age 35
Have an illness that may affect your pregnancy (such as diabetes)
Have experienced fertility issues
Pregnancy After Miscarriage

Emotional preparation:

Have an open conversation with your health care providers about any concerns and ask for the pregnancy to be monitored carefully.
Some people choose to hold off on preparing for the baby in the traditional sense of holding baby showers or setting up a home nursery until after the baby’s arrival.
Refresh on the resources you used to manage your grief previously. Reviewing the strategies or mechanisms that helped you through before can be good practice for when the baby arrives, as this time might bring up intense feelings and emotions.
Speak to your healthcare provider about possible support groups or counselors who can support you during this emotional time.

After the loss of a child, you should not feel alone. There are helpful readings to help you while you grieve and begin your healing journey. Learn more about the best readings and resources below.