TTC immediately after abortion

[EMcG3]

Hi! I am having a sergical termination at 16 weeks due to an Edwards diagnosis. I can't work out the recommended wait time after termination to try to conceive, if any. Does anyone know the NHS recommendations? All my googling turns up is stern warnings that you can ovulate within weeks of terminating and should use birth control if you are not TTC.

I’m so sorry for your loss. I’m afraid the information in this area is patchy at best. I miscarried in June and tried again straight away after because most of what I read said you don’t need to wait unless you’re told to for medical reasons, or advises you to wait at least until after your period so that you can date more accurately (which didn’t seem like a good enough medical reason to me so I didn’t wait). But I miscarried at 6 weeks, I think at 16 weeks it might take your body a little bit of time to heal. Your midwife should be able to advise you. Sorry again that you’re going through this. Tommy’s and the Miscarriage Association has some good support (and helplines you can ring for advice - Tommys is run by midwives so more medical question related and MA by volunteers so more of a support line). Take care of yourself.

I'm not sure about the TTC, but wanted to send a huge hug from one TFMR mama to another 💙

I miscarried earlier this year at 16 weeks, I was told to leave it until after my first period to try again. But that is to date the next pregnancy, rather than being safe. I was told not to have sex whilst I was still bleeding due to the risk of infection if the cervix was still open slightly and to test after 2 weeks to check it's negative. The further on you are in pregnancy, the quicker it's negative so i just checked and I was negative after a week and then tested for ovulation again once i stopped bleeding. Next period was only a couple of week delayed and I bled for just under 3 weeks. Really sorry for your loss. My rainbow baby is due the day after the one I lost was born, I was lucky and did conceive quickly after 💖💙

So sorry.

I had a MMC at 13 weeks, and we decided to jump right back into TTC. Got pregnant with DC4 following my first normal period afterwards.

Its not just about the physical recovery, but also the emotional one too. So only you can know when you feel ready to try again. I’ll admit, I was a wreck the first few weeks of the pregnancy, but it was the right choice for us.

Good luck and wishing you well.

I'm so sorry for your loss.

I had TFMR at 20 weeks last year. At the time I asked several midwives how long I had to wait and they all told me the same thing - to wait until after having my first period. That came after 5 weeks exactly.

They told me the emotional recovery was as important as the physical and for me it helped me cope at the time.

Take care of yourself, I hope you get your rainbow baby

Can u have an abortion at 16 weeks ?

@Fazs97 yes up to 24 weeks in the UK, some can be done after in medical circumstances

What will they think of me nervous to ask anybody about it

Please do not be nervous to ask - what anyone thinks of you is not important to you doing what you feel is the right thing to do.

Also, while I would not encourage you to rush into an abortion without considering it enough, once you know you want one, it is much better to ask for one right away. I say this because there is a point after which you need a medical reason to do it. Also, it can take a little bit of time to book it in.

I think the best thing to do is call BPAS as soon as you have made a decision. No one should judge you. Sending you so much support.

Kind of you to answer EMcG3. Hope you are doing well.

I’m sorry.

I had a miscarriage at 16 weeks and was told it was fine for me to ttc straightaway although I was asked to wait for one period to help with dating the conception and mental health (to not assume the next pregnancy was further along and worry if an early scan didn’t agree with this). However, from a medical point of view (unless you are specifically told otherwise, and I would recommend asking at the time you go in for surgery) I don’t think it’s an issue if you conceive sooner.

Sorry for your loss, I understand your urge to conceive a healthy pregnancy asap and wish you the best for that.

Abortions are sometimes not performed perfectly. If any material is left over in the womb, that material can fester and cause an infection. Until the womb is completely empty, you will continue to get positive pregnancy tests. The best way to be really confident that your womb is ready for a pregnancy is to wait a bit, use barrier contraception, and have a full normal period cycle, taking a pregnancy test after you have bled and confirming that it is definitely negative. Then start ttc at your next ovulation date.

If you start ttc immediately without a break it will be impossible to say without getting an ultrasound whether a positive pregnancy test is due to a new pregnancy or a problem with the previous abortion. You can save yourself some potential stress by waiting a month.

I've not had a surgical abortion but I've had surgical management of miscarriage. In both cases I was advised to wait at least 2 weeks (3 weeks after MVA) after the bleeding stopped before putting anything in the vagina (also avoiding swimming and baths until then) to avoid infection.

It was suggested to wait until after my period to start trying again, I think that is mostly because of dating but it gave me comfort to know that I was back to my regular cycle (my first period arrived a couple of days after it would have been. 'Due' taking my surgery as 1st day of last period) but I know lots of women on here want to get on with TTC immediately. After the 2nd MC I definitely wasn't ready mentally in the first cycle.

I'd agree with the point about waiting for the negative pregnancy test - lower risk of retained product if you're having a surgical procedure assisted by ultrasound, but not zero chance.

There is a post on here at least every month from someone who isn't sure whether their positive is from their previous pregnancy or their new attempt to TTC because they didn't get a negative in between. It sounds stressful.

Thankyou so much for your lovely messages as have nobody to turn to as everybody is against my decision I just think it would be the right time should of done it sooner but was happy at the time but things in my life doesn’t plan out normal scared of what’s the come an everything in between wish it wasn’t such a taboo subject for people I contacted nupas to ask they said upto 24 weeks an 6 days. So just going to give them a call and see if I can get the ok. Wouldn’t be fare to bring a baby into this world especially my life

@Fazs97 - it is a really tough decision and one no one wants to make. If your termination is because of medical problems with the baby, the ARC helpline is (antinatal results choices) helpline is a really good place to go to speak to someone who will be compassionate about your situation. If you are thinking of aborting for different reasons, I am less sure of who to call for support, but I do think that BPAS will know who you can speak to.

The abortion itself is emotionally bad but not so bad physically. If you do feel confident in your own mind it is the right thing to do, be brave and do it.

@EMcG3 Sorry for your loss