During pregnancy, your body releases a pregnancy hormone, hCG, in order to ramp up the production of estrogen and progesterone and support the growth of the uterus.
The presence of hCG in your urine is what triggers a positive pregnancy test and is how doctors determine if you are or are not pregnant.
After a miscarriage or pregnancy loss, the body stops hCG production, but it takes time for levels to return to zero. This is why a woman may still get a positive pregnancy test soon after a miscarriage.
Can you ovulate with hCG in your system? No, you are not likely to ovulate while you still have hCG in your system as elevated HCG levels suppress ovulation. After a miscarriage, HCG levels need to drop below 5 mlU/ml before the menstrual cycle, which includes ovulation, will resume as normal.
So, how long does that take? If you have experienced a pregnancy loss and are ready to try to get pregnant again, I may have some helpful information for you.
Ovulation After Miscarriage
You would be surprised at how quickly the body can adapt, bounce back, and resume its normal menstrual activity after pregnancy loss.
It does not wait too long to begin priming itself for conception once again.
When Do You Ovulate After Miscarriage?
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, you can resume ovulation as little as two weeks after a miscarriage.
However, most women find that it takes about 4-8 weeks to ovulate after pregnancy loss and, sometimes it takes a few months for your cycle to return to normal.
HCG Levels After Miscarriage
Once a miscarriage happens, hCG levels should begin to drop, usually decreasing at an average rate of 50% every 48 hours.
HCG Levels After Miscarriage at 4 Weeks
If you experience a miscarriage at 4 weeks gestation, your hCG levels will be between 5 and 426 mlU/ml.
It will likely only take a few days for your hCG levels to return to their normal, pre-pregnancy measurement of less than 5 mlU/ml.
If you are 4 weeks post pregnancy loss, you can expect to see your hCG levels decreasing rapidly and getting closer to their normal range of less than 5 mlU/ml.
HCG Levels After Miscarriage at 5 Weeks
At 5 weeks gestation, the normal hCG range is 18-7,340mlU/ml. If pregnancy loss occurs at this stage of pregnancy, it may take several days for levels to return to normal but usually not much longer than a week.
If you test your hCG levels 5 weeks after a miscarriage, they are likely to be very close to the normal range.
It is possible that levels will be low enough for you to test negative on a pregnancy test 5 weeks after a miscarriage.
HCG Levels After Miscarriage at 7 Weeks
At 7 weeks gestation, hCG levels should range from 7,650-229,000 mlU/ml. They are closer to reaching their peak, which occurs around the twelfth or thirteenth week of pregnancy.
Therefore, it may take a little longer for the levels to return to normal after a miscarriage, but they should be back to normal within a couple of weeks at the most.
By seven weeks post-pregnancy loss, your HCG levels should be back to normal, and you should not test positive on a pregnancy test.
When Will Period Return After Miscarriage?
Most women can expect their first period four to six weeks after experiencing a miscarriage.
The exact timing may vary by several weeks and largely depends on when the miscarriage is “finished,” meaning the uterus has shed all of the tissues from the pregnancy.
Many women who experience pregnancy loss later in their pregnancy may find that it takes longer for their period to return due to elevated hCG levels.
Can You Get Pregnant Right After a Miscarriage?
It is possible to ovulate and become pregnant within two weeks after a miscarriage.
However, this timeline varies from person to person depending on their miscarriage timeline and how long it takes for their cycle to return to normal.
Most medical experts recommend waiting at least a few cycles after a miscarriage before trying to conceive again.
While soon becoming pregnant after a miscarriage is physically possible, both your body and your emotions go through a lot during a miscarriage, and depending on the severity, it may be beneficial to wait a few cycles to recover.
What To Expect After a Miscarriage
A miscarriage is not just a singular-moment event like some may believe it to be. A miscarriage is a process that causes both physical and emotional change and hardship.
Physical Symptoms
Once a pregnancy loss has occurred, you can expect bleeding as the body expels the pregnancy tissues, which are called the products of conception.
Depending on how far you were into your pregnancy, the bleeding may be similar to or heavier than a period. You can also expect some mild pain and cramping that may be slightly worse than menstrual cramps.
You will notice a decline in your pregnancy symptoms as your hCG levels decrease and your body returns to its normal state.
Return of Menstrual Cycle
Since you are no longer pregnant, your menstrual cycle will resume its normal cycle in order to prepare for conception again.
Once the miscarriage has ended, bleeding has stopped, and hCG levels have returned to normal, your body will begin to get back on track naturally.
Most women get their first period about four weeks after experiencing a miscarriage.
Some have found that their first few periods are worse or heavier than they were before they were pregnant. This is normal as your body is still adjusting and recovering.
Emotional Recovery
A miscarriage can be just as hard (or harder) emotionally as it is physically taxing. Experiencing a pregnancy loss can trigger a lot of challenging emotions for everyone involved.
Some women or their partners may experience bouts of depression or anxiety after a miscarriage. It is important that you take time to recover emotionally just as you would physically.
Turn to loved ones, friends, support groups, and specialists to get the help and support that you need.
Related Questions:
How Long Does HCG Stay in Your System After Miscarriage?
It can take anywhere from one to nine weeks for hCG levels to return to zero following a miscarriage.
Does Miscarriage Increase Fertility?
There is no evidence that suggests you are more or less fertile after experiencing a miscarriage.
Closing Thoughts
Miscarriages can be one of the greatest challenges, and it can be difficult to determine the next steps and when you can begin moving forward.
A miscarriage can make you feel like your body is out of sorts for a while, but the truth is that your body is smarter and more resilient than you think.
I hope this article was helpful and that you have more guidance and can move forward with confidence in your journey!
Charlynn is an educator and mom to fraternal boy/girl twins. She loves learning through the experiences she has with her littles and using her knowledge to help other moms as they embark on the journey of motherhood.