LAGOS — Fertility and reproductive health experts have said it is unsafe for women who just experience miscarriage to get pregnant immediately.
The experts explained that after a pregnancy loss, there is a raw wound in the uterus that takes about three months to heal properly.
According to them, medically, a woman is expected to wait for at least three to six months before attempting to get pregnant again.
A Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at the Living Spring Hospital and Maternity Home, Ejigbo, Lagos, Dr. Joseph Akinde, explained that the reason for the wait is to enable the womb to heal properly, as well as allow the body system to return to it normal non-pregnancy state.
He said in the interim, couples are advised to abstain from sex until the first menses commences after a miscarriage, adding that this usually happens after 28 to 30 days.
Dr. Akinde said after the menses returns, couples are told to practice safe sex until it is safe to get pregnant again.
“Following the return of the menses, the couple can have sex during the safe period or use a condom in the alternative to avoid pregnancy until three months after the miscarriage.”
He said in the interim, couples are advised to abstain from sex until the first menses commences after a miscarriage, adding that this usually happens after 28 to 30 days.
Dr. Akinde said after the menses returns, couples are told to practice safe sex until it is safe to get pregnant again.
“Following the return of the menses, the couple can have sex during the safe period or use a condom in the alternative to avoid pregnancy until three months after the miscarriage.”
The consultant gynaecologist, however, noted that the recovery period for a miscarriage varies among women.
He said, “Recovery period will depend on whether it is a straightforward miscarriage or a complicated one, and it varies from one individual to another. But usually, by three months, they can start planning for another pregnancy.”
Dr. Akinde advised that in order to avoid having another miscarriage, the woman should visit a gynaecologist as soon as she observes that her menses has stopped.
The one-time chairman, Society of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of Nigeria, said there are medications that can be given to prevent the occurrence of another miscarriage.
“There are medications that may have to be administered if the miscarriage is proven to be due to some deficiencies. Such medications help to prevent another miscarriage,” he added.
