How Do I Get Pregnant Faster After a Stillbirth?

A stillbirth, like any child's death, is a tragic, traumatic experience for the parents. Although you should take as much time as you need to grieve for your stillbirth, you may find yourself wanting to get pregnant again right away. The good news is that most women continue to have normal pregnancies and deliveries after a stillbirth.

Delivery Method and Waiting Period

• If you delivered your stillborn child via cesarean section, some doctors recommend waiting six months to a year before trying to get pregnant again. However, if you delivered naturally, there is no standard recommended waiting period. Some women and their doctors recommend waiting a few months anyway so that your body can heal from the delivery and you can begin taking prenatal vitamins again. At the very least, you should wait until you've had one normal menstrual cycle in order to rule out any reproductive issues.

Reason for Stillbirth

• Your ability to get pregnant again may depend on the reason why the stillbirth occurred in the first place. Sometimes there's no good explanation, and your doctor will rule out any fertility or medical issues. If chromosomal abnormalities, hypertension, placental issues or congenital problems contributed to the stillbirth, you should speak to your doctor before attempting to become pregnant again. If the mother's health or lifestyle choices (such as drinking or smoking) contributed, you should consider changing your habits to ensure a healthy pregnancy.

Fertility

• According to the Cleveland Clinic, about 60 percent of couples take up to six months to conceive and another 30 percent take up to 12 months after delivery of a stillborn baby. This is normal and reflects the average waiting period. If you're still having trouble after a year, talk to your doctor about the various fertility treatments available, such as medication or intravenous fertilization. Remember, unless your stillbirth was caused by a medical or lifestyle condition, your chances of having another healthy pregnancy should be close to normal. Patience will be necessary during this trying time.