IVF after miscarriage: 5 ways to prepare yourself for the journey

If you are thinking of undergoing IVF after miscarriage, here are a few things you should be aware of and tips to boost the success rate of IVF.
IVF procedure
IVF after miscarriage needs you to prepare yourself mentally and physically. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock
Aayushi Gupta Published: 10 May 2023, 16:48 pm IST
  • 159
Medically Reviewed by

Pregnancy is a very special and delicate phase in a woman’s life. Throughout this journey, a woman faces a lot of ups and downs, physical changes, and heightened emotions—both positive and negative. Overall, is a journey to bring a new life into the world. It gives you the chance to have children and become a parent. But even a small mistake can result in pregnancy loss, and suffering a miscarriage can be devastating. In fact, it can even affect your ability to get pregnant again. To get pregnant again, most experts suggest that you go for in vitro fertilization (IVF) after a miscarriage.

Pregnancy after a miscarriage

Pregnancy after a miscarriage can be a tough decision to make. Women are often concerned or perplexed about what caused their miscarriage as well as worried about future pregnancies. The phase between trying to conceive again and seeking infertility treatments is what bothers them.

Symptoms of a miscarriage

The type of miscarriage a woman endures varies for everyone. Vaginal bleeding is one of the most common symptoms of a miscarriage. A miscarriage is of three kinds: complete, incomplete, and threatened. In a complete miscarriage, the embryo and other products of conception leave the body through the uterus. The cervix dilates during incomplete miscarriages, resulting in excessive bleeding and abdominal cramps.

IVF
Miscarriage can be agonizing. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

Threatened miscarriages are caused by improper implantation, followed by cramping and bleeding. During a miscarriage, pinkish-white mucus, and blood clots leave the body. Women must seek medical attention right away to avoid hemorrhaging and infection.

Health Shots got in touch with Dr Parul Gupta, Infertility Specialist in Rajouri Garden, Nova IVF Fertility, to understand how IVF can help a woman get pregnant again after a miscarriage.

When should you consider IVF after miscarriage

IVF treatment is not your only option available after a miscarriage. But if you face difficulties in conceiving again, you may consider IVF treatment.

Dr Gupta says, “Miscarriage is common in the first few months, and 50 percent of miscarriages occur during the first three months of pregnancy, according to the National Library of Medicine. It is important to note that a single miscarriage doesn’t mean that a woman cannot carry a pregnancy again. However, from the initial 20 per cent, the risk of another miscarriage rises to around 28 per cent after two consecutive miscarriages, and after three or more consecutive miscarriages, the risk rises to around 43 per cent. Therefore, couples who endure recurrent pregnancy losses should opt for fertility solutions such as IVF treatments.”

What is in-vitro fertilization treatment?

In-vitro fertilization or IVF is a procedure in which doctors extract mature eggs from the uterus and fertilize them with sperm samples. After fertilization, the embryos are transferred back to the uterus.

IVF treatment
IVF has become a commonly used treatment for conception. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Dr Gupta explains, “The procedure follows steps including ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval, and fertilization. During ovarian stimulation, medications like follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) are given to stimulate the ovaries to produce eggs. Using ultrasound, a thin needle is inserted into the ovaries to pull your eggs out of each follicle. The fertilization stage involves fertilizing the eggs with the help of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).”

As part of IVF, fertility specialists provide preimplantation genetic tests (PGT). The method allows medical professionals to check for chromosomal and genetic problems that could lead to a miscarriage in an embryo. The presence of genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis and a number of other ailments are also screened, adds Dr Gupta.

Select Topics of your interest and let us customize your feed.

PERSONALISE NOW

Also read: Expert answers 12 questions you must ask before starting an IVF treatment

IVF is a safe procedure. However, the success rate of IVF depends on several factors, such as age, cause of miscarriage, cause of infertility and biological and hormonal conditions.

Tips to prepare yourself for IVF treatment

Follow these 5 tips to prepare your body for IVF treatment, according to Dr Gupta:

1. Have a well-balanced diet and good sleep routine: A healthy pregnancy necessitates lifestyle changes. A well-balanced diet rich in leafy vegetables, pulses, fruits, and iron-rich foods provides the body with the nutrients it requires. In addition, it is important to ensure a healthy sleep routine of 7-9 hours.

2. Avoid substance use: Avoid smoking, drinking or undertaking medications that can adversely impact your fertility process. Limit your caffeine intake too.

3. Exercise: Incorporate mild to moderate exercise such as walking, yoga or jogging into your daily routine. However, keep in mind to avoid excessive workouts. Too much exercise can impair your ability to release.

exercise for IVF treatment
Exercise regularly to manage your weight. Image courtesy: Adobe Stock

4. Go for a health checkup: Go for a full body health assessment to determine whether you have any health issues before starting an IVF cycle because problems like endometriosis and fibroids can hamper the success of your IVF treatment.

5. Reduce stress: Make a conscious effort to reduce your stress. IVF can be stressful for couples, and with the recent pregnancy loss in the mix, anxiety is bound to rise. As a result, a solid support system is essential. Join support groups, connect with other parents who are undergoing fertility treatments and seek assistance from friends and family in times of need. Use stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, and evening walks.

To conclude, IVF gives couples a chance of attaining parenthood. So, if you’re having conceiving issues, think about trying this treatment.

  • 159
About the Author

Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More

Next Story