Pregnancy After a Loss

 
The loss of a child during or immediately following pregnancy is a very difficult and painful process to endure. For many couples however, the idea of trying to get pregnant again arises very quickly. Often times couples are anxious to have another baby due to a woman's increasing age. Whatever the reason, it is advised to wait until the initial acute stage of grieving has been passed before deciding whether to have another child.

The length of time the mother must wait before trying again varies from person to person. One must not forget the emotional factors, along with the physical ones, that must be dealt with before trying to get pregnant again. Most physicians recommend waiting at least three months for physical reasons, however the risk of prematurely delivering a baby does not go away until one year after a miscarriage.

The emotional issues raised by a pregnancy loss are as important as the physical problems created. Parents should thoroughly mourn their loss before trying to conceive a child again. While the average time of the grief process is approximately one year, this is obviously quite arbitrary and can be longer for some people.

If the grieving process is successful, then the mother should feel some resolution at the end of the course of grief. While anxiety can be high when attempting to have another child, it should be dealt with appropriately and as an integral part of perinatal care. Relaxation training, massage or a perinatal exercise class can all be used to decrease anxiety regarding the upcoming pregnancy.

After the baby is born, the mother may find it difficult to bond right away, for fear of losing a child again. Conversely, she may also be fiercely overprotective of her child as well. In time, with support from spouses, family, friends and health care providers the difficulties associated with moving on from a pregnancy loss can be dealt with. The mother must not forget her lost child, but she must move on to create a new family and live a normal life.

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