Conception after "Blighted Ovum" Miscarriage

Q: I am 41 and just miscarried a "blighted ovum" at 12 weeks.  I went in to the dr. for my regular 9 week check up and she did an ultrasound. There was a sac but no baby.  I elected to go natural and walked around for 3 weeks before taking Blue Cohosh.  I needed to know that there was truly no hope.  Once my breasts were back to normal and I was no longer sick, I knew.  The miscarriage was AWFUL, painful and long!!!  Anyway, getting pg is not a problem for me.  This was my sixth pregnancy. I usually get pg the first time.  I need to know if there is ANYTHING I can do at my age to  prevent (if possible) another blighted ovum.  I lost another baby at 4 months when I was 37.  I have four healthy children and had no reason  to expect to be "high risk".  My dr. was even shocked and we really found no reason that I lost Ryan.  I thought "this time" I would not have to go through it again and I didn't....instead it was a blighted ovum.  I big on herbs and natural methods.  I'm questioning whether or not to attempt another pgy at my age....but I'm really "healthy as a horse" and have no problems other than the two losses I mentioned.

Thank you for your help!

   

   

A: Hello, thank you for writing.  If you are healthy as a horse, at 41 I see no reason for you not to try again.  Other than of course the pain this possibility brings.  As we get older our chances of conception and holding the pregnancy may decrease, but there are many into their 50s who are successful.  And there are many women in their early 40s with better chances of a healthy pregnancy than one in their early 20s.

I do not know of a particular herb that counters the chances of another blighted ovum, just the foods, lifestyle choices and herbs that can increase our chance of a healthy conception, pregnancy and birth.  You can read some in Susun's article Fertility After Forty.

I second the Red Clover blossom infusions, and once pregnant the Red Raspberry and Nettle leaf infusions.  I also highly value yoga, specific to pregnancy (like in Jeannine Parvati Baker's Prenatal Yoga), and the incredible power of positive thinking.  Like many things in life, misfortune may just happen, or it may happen for reasons we will never understand.  If you are willing to brave again the possible pain I fully support you in knowing the likely joy and going forward!!

Please let me know if I can help further in any way, anywhere along your journey.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
wisewoman@herbshealing.com
www.wisewomanweb.com

       

         

Comments

[SB]

Conception After 40?
I was reading many of the posts on your site & had some questions of my own. I am 40 & trying to conceive for the very first time. I was taking oral contraceptives from the age of 20 until about a month ago or so. I am charting my body temperature (each morning). The good news is that it appears I have a clear thermal shift implying ovulation occurred. I don't think I am pregnant since it appears my menses is starting today. Hopefully, this means everything is functioning normally.

My questions are:
1) With regard to Red Raspberry -- I read conflicting information on its safety. Is it OK to take before & during pregnancy? I read 1000mg daily is good before conception & through the 7th or 8th month of a pregnancy, but I wanted your thoughts. I planned to buy this & wanted to make sure it was not harmful.

2) With regard to prenatal vitamins: I am reading that I should be taking those NOW, before I conceive, espeically since oral contraceptives may have depleted my body of necessary "B" vitamins. Is it OK to take a prenatal vitamin AND the red raspberry supplement together daily? Also, should I take a full dose of prenatal vitamins or maybe just half the dose since I am not actually pregnant?

3) Can the production of cervical fluid be affected (or reduced) when comig off the pill after long-term use? If so, how long before it may become more abundant? I realize at my age, I may produce less of the fertile quality fluid, but it did not seem like I had much at all this first month off the pill & just wondered if things would improve or if it was related to the pill usage?

4) I love a cup of hot green tea in the mornings! Is this safe to drink now while trying to conceive? I read conflicting information & worry about the caffeine that is present in tea. My favorite tea is a green tea with jasmine from Trader Joe's, but if you think I should switch to de-caf, I am more than willing do that since I am not ingesting it for the sake of the caffeine -- I simply enjoy it & firmly believe the anti-oxidants keep me healthy (because I manage to avoid most cold & flu bugs that hit my office). If I do conceive, is it harmful to continue drinking green tea (caffeinated variety) or is de-caf simply the best way to go now in my situation? Some items I read recommend green tea during a pregnancy or before it, but no one mentions anything about the caffeine naturally found in tea. Help!

I don't have any "health issues" and my cycle was quite normal & regular when it began at age 16. I went on the pill strictly for prevention of pregnancy, unlike some women that need it for other issues. I exercise moderately a few times a week or I try to & my diet is pretty decent in that I do my best to avoid "bad" foods. I am also reading a great book called "Taking Control of Your Fertility" by Dr. Toni Wechsler, which is quite helpful for me to learn how everything functions -- we women think we know it all & this book is proving I certainly don't! : )

I will be seeing my doctor for an annual PAP & check-up in 2 weeks & I plan to bring her all of my concerns, as well, but any input you can offer is appreciated. Thanks for your time!

[KarenJoy]

Hello SB,

If you have been on the pill for 20 years and only cycled for 4, then I would allow a great deal of time before expecting things to feel normal again, over a year. That is, to be patient, but for you everything may be wonderful this month!!

That is a great book, I am so glad you have it and are working with it. Continue to follow your cervical fluid. I suspect in time it will increase.

Yes, there are often varying opinions. Mine is only one, and your doctor's may be different from mine. i not only consider Red Raspberry leaf, prepared as tea or infusions, safe during pregnancy, it is one of two of my most recommended herbs. I consider it beneficial before, during and after pregnancy. Even beneficial during birth. I only use and prepare and recommend as a tea or infusion of the dried herb so can not comment on capsules, if that is what you are thinking of.

I do not recommend vitamin pills, but prefer to get our nutrition from foods and nourishing herbal infusions. So I can not answer in regards to prenatal vitamins. I see no reason to be concerned though taking them and Red Raspberry leaf tea or infusion.

I consider green tea in moderation healthful. I do not know what amount crosses that line, but myself would consider drinking only a few times a week, perhaps having a caffeine free tea on the other mornings. This is based on my own feeling on it though. I do not know the details, and imagine them variable per person.

Karen Joy

[neetu]

Hi, I am 26 years old gal and I had occued pregnancy in the month of April 2008 but after first sonography Doctor Saw That it was a blighted ovum means No Evidence of yolk sac or foetal pole is seen..then my Doctor suggested me to do a D & C...Then My D&C was done in 26th April 2008..After wating my two period cycle again I tried and conceived after three month of D&C..But Again in my First sonography Doctor see No evidence of Yolk sac or foetal pole is seen...must be Blighted Ovum again..Now Doctor Again suggested to do a D&C.....
..Now i am very much scared about this problem..and i wanna know from your views on that ..Any body suffered this problem anytime ..what is the reason behind this problem...Can i will be get a healthy pregnancy ever...Please help me in this regard................
..waiting your reply....
....Pls email me to.....neetu_singh022006@rediffmail.com

[Karen Joy]

Hello, my condolances for your losses. There are different ideas for the cause of this, therefore the help for one dealing with it. There is mention that it is sometimes misdiagnosed. There is also conflcting ideas about whether a D&C, quite invasive, is really necessary, as it does its own harm.

If it were me, I would do all I can to nourish myself in many ways. Herbally I would use the ideas mentioned above - Red Clover blossom and Red Raspberry leaf infusions and/or Vitex berry tincture, for at least 6 months before attempting to conceive again.

These are not specific for this circumstance, just overall reproductive health.

Please let us know what you try and how you are doing.

Karen Joy

[Cathy Doyle]

To neetu_singh022006:

Do you have a tilted uterus? There is significant evidence that women who have a tilted uterus (can be up to 1 in 3) have trouble with ultrasound detection of foetuses. So if you are under 12 weeks, WAIT. Go back at 10-12 weeks and get another ultrasound. Ask your doctor if you have a tilted or retroverted uterus since apparently it makes it more difficult to detect. So if you are less than 10 weeks, DON'T worry!

[priscilla]

ive had 2 misscarriges one with twins and then one 3 weeks ago and now prego 3 weeks latter both where blighted ovem i have one health boy james who is 4 but me and my husband are hoping for a health pregnacy i was told to take 81 mg of asprin a day to help support this pregnacy is it oki really need some advice please help...

[Nam]

Hi All,

I need advice as I am confused as hell.
I have just miscarried in the 8th week of my pregnancy last week due to blighted ovum.
Two years back I had to get an abortion done in the 12th week as the baby was diagnosed with spini bifida.
I am 37 and I do have a daughter who is seven.
Do you think that it is possible for me to concieve and have a healthy baby now.
I really need advice as am very scared to try again....but absolutely want to have a baby.