We have a two-and-a-half-year old son from my first pregnancy, which was completely normal.
I carried him one week past my due date and aside from him being larger than what the doctor imagined, labour and delivery were fine.
I got pregnant again last summer, but had a miscarriage eight weeks into my pregnancy.
I know that the causes of the miscarriage cannot be pinpointed, but could the trauma from my first pregnancy have affected my body to successfully carry another?
It has been a reoccurring fear in my mind - that giving birth to my first son has taken a toll on my internal system and prevented me from being able to successfully maintain a second pregnancy.
I have tried to do my own research, but most couples either do not have a successful pregnancy at all or encounter multiple miscarriages. We would like to try and conceive again this summer, but I have huge fears of this scenario repeating itself.
Shirley
Dr Fong replies:
Dear Shirley,
It is unfortunate that you suffered a miscarriage during your second pregnancy.
But it seems your miscarriage is an occurrence by chance, and not linked to your first pregnancy.
Our bodies often repair themselves well, even after injury. Moreover, your first pregnancy was uncomplicated. Therefore I do not think that the delivery of your first child would have any impact on the next pregnancy.
We have seen many mothers going onto successful, normal pregnancies even after suffering a miscarriage in between. Please do not be discouraged, as the probability of a subsequent normal pregnancy is actually very high!
Pregnancies do deplete the body of some nutrients, for example, iron and even calcium stores. Prenatal vitamins may be considered. It is also important to start folate supplementation once you are pregnant, as this helps to reduce the risk of congenital spinal defects.
Lastly, relaxation and reduction of stress is also important. Reduction of stress hormones and adequate sleep may be important factors that may be overlooked sometimes.
Got a question on pregnancy or your reproductive health? Email it to us at Just Woman and we will get it answered by Dr Fong Yoke Fai, a consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the National University Hospital.
