When to Try Again

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I had preeclampsia and/or a related condition. How long should I wait to try again? There are a lot of factors that can go into this decision, and what is right for one person may not be right for another. As far as preeclampsia risk, one study found that conceiving in less than two years did not raise the risk compared with conceiving two to four years later, but waiting longer than four years had a slightly higher risk. However, this is not a guarantee! There are women who get pregnant quickly and still end up with preeclampsia, and plenty who wait longer and are fine. No one should rush to conceive before they are ready, or worry they have missed their chance if it has already been a few years. Preeclampsia risk is just one thing to think about. There are other considerations. For example, if you had a c-section, you may want to wait longer for full healing, especially if you are hoping for a VBAC. If you are older and running out of fertile time, you may move forward more quickly. Our members who have lost a child balance grieving for the previous baby while longing for another. Being emotionally ready is helpful, too. Preeclampsia is a traumatic experience. Many of us deal with some combination of anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress after going through it. Being pregnant again, or even considering another pregnancy, can bring these feelings to the surface and intensify them. We encourage you to talk with your doctor. They can go over your history and current health status. They may even suggest some testing for underlying conditions first. Then they can make a recommendation specific to you. It can also be helpful to work with a mental health therapist. They can help you process what you have already been through, think through the various considerations for a new pregnancy, and teach you coping strategies for when moments of anxiety come up. Have a story to share? How long did you wait to try again? What things did you think about when making the decision? Share your experience in the comments below.