What are the Common Signs of Ovulation After Miscarriage?

Miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy before the 20th week of pregnancy. Many times, a miscarriage is because of a problem with the baby’s development. This event affects the mother's body both physically and emotionally.

Many women wonder how their bodies will recover and when they will be ready to try again. Since chances of conception are maximum during ovulation, women often look for the signs of ovulation after miscarriage to try again [1].

The time it takes for the recovery process after a miscarriage can be different for every woman. Some may recover quickly, while others may need more time. This is why it is essential to understand the impacts of miscarriage on fertility health and future pregnancies.

Impacts of Miscarriage on Female Fertility

After a miscarriage, the body begins to reverse the changes it has undergone to support pregnancy. This includes different structural and hormonal changes to return the body to the normal pre-pregnancy phase.

This process can take several weeks, and a woman usually experiences bleeding and cramps during this time. The severity and duration of the miscarriage symptoms, like bleeding and cramps, varies depending on the stage of pregnancy and overall condition.

Miscarriage doesn't have a significant impact on female fertility or her chances of getting pregnant again [2]. The menstrual cycle, which had stopped because of pregnancy, resumes again. This means that hormonal levels begin to balance, and the body restarts the process of preparing for the next pregnancy.

However, stress and emotions after a miscarriage can affect fertility. It is natural to feel sad or anxious after losing the baby. These feelings can sometimes impact hormonal levels and delay the return of regular cycles.

How Long Does It Take for Ovulation After a Miscarriage?

A common question that many women ask after a miscarriage is, "How long will it take for ovulation to return after a miscarriage?" There is no universal answer to this question as it depends on the individual's condition.

In some cases, ovulation after chemical pregnancy loss can happen as soon as two to three weeks after a miscarriage. In other cases, it may take a month or more.

The time for ovulation to resume depends on the following factors:

1. Type of Miscarriage: A complete miscarriage is the one where all the pregnancy tissue is passed [2]. This type of miscarriage may allow the body to heal faster. An incomplete miscarriage may need medical treatment for the removal of remains, which can delay ovulation.
2. Woman's Overall Health: Healthy women are more likely to see a quicker return of ovulation. On the other hand, women with underlying conditions may experience complications after a miscarriage. This can lead to a comparatively longer delay in ovulation.
3. Emotional and Physical Recovery: Stress and emotional distress are common after a miscarriage, but some women experience a more prolonged emotional impact than others. In such cases, the delay in the return of normal cycles is more prominent.

When Should a Couple Plan to Conceive After a Miscarriage?

Planning to conceive after a miscarriage is a very personal decision. Many couples plan to try again soon, while others take more time to heal emotionally and physically. It is time when you should listen to your body and your heart.

Doctors usually suggest waiting for one or two normal menstrual cycles before trying to conceive again [3]. This waiting period allows the body to recover completely and support a healthy pregnancy. It also gives time to address any issues that may have caused the miscarriage.

How soon a woman can conceive after a miscarriage also depends on her reproductive cycle. If she ovulates three weeks after the miscarriage, conception is possible at that time. However, if ovulation takes longer, such as over a month, conception will be delayed accordingly.

Signs of Ovulation After Miscarriage

A couple trying to conceive after a miscarriage should watch for signs of ovulation because it is the time when a woman is most likely to get pregnant. Here are some of the common symptoms of ovulation after abortion or miscarriage:

1. Changes in Cervical Mucus

The cervix is the opening between the uterus and the vagina. It releases a thick fluid, commonly known as cervical mucus. The nature of cervical mucus changes throughout the menstrual cycle, including during ovulation.

During ovulation, mucus usually becomes clear and stretchy, looking like raw egg whites [4]. This is a sign that the body is preparing for a possible pregnancy. The stretchy nature of mucus helps sperm swim better and survive longer.

2. Change in Basal Body Temperature

Studies show that basal body temperature (BBT) rises after ovulation [5]. BBT is the body temperature when you wake up in the morning. It occurs due to a rise in progesterone hormone after ovulation. By checking the BTT every day, a woman can detect the rise in temperature and thus the ovulation day.

3. Mild Pain or Discomfort

Some women feel a slight pain or discomfort on one side of the lower abdomen during ovulation. This pain is known as mittelschmerz and is associated with the release of eggs in the ovaries [6].

Egg release involves the rupture of a follicle and the release of follicular content, including the egg, into the ovary. This event can trigger pain in some women which is usually mild and lasts for a few hours or a day.

4. Increased Libido

Many women report that their sex drive increases around the time of ovulation. This natural increase in desire is the body's way of facilitating intercourse and increasing the chances of conception. A higher libido during this time is an indication that your body is ready for pregnancy.

5. Breast Sensitivity

The hormonal changes in the body during ovulation also influence breast tissues. Women often report breast tenderness or sensitivity during ovulation. However, this symptom alone can not be a determinant of ovulation since such breast tenderness can also be felt right before the period.

6. Light Spotting

In some cases, a very small amount of spotting may occur during ovulation. This spotting is usually light and lasts for a short time. It is different from the bleeding of a menstrual period and can indicate egg release.

How Can You Track Ovulation?

Since not all women experience ovulation signs, tacking ovulation with signs can be challenging for many. It is especially tough after a miscarriage because of abrupt changes in the body.

In such cases, the more reliable way to track ovulation is to use ovulation predictor kits. The kits are specially designed to check urine for hormonal changes associated with ovulation, like a surge in luteinizing hormone (LH).

Another way to detect ovulation is by using an ovulation calendar or fertility calculator after miscarriage. Start by tracking the first day of your period each month to understand the length and pattern of your menstrual cycle.

Most women ovulate around the middle of their cycle, usually 14 days before their next period [1]. By marking your cycle on ovulation after miscarriage calculator, you can estimate when ovulation is most likely to occur.

Healing and Preparing for a Future Pregnancy

After a miscarriage, it is important to take time to heal. Since miscarriage affects a woman both physically and emotionally, the healing process is both physical and emotional. Here are some simple tips to help you prepare for a future pregnancy:

1. Take Care of Your Body

The best thing you can do for your body is eating a healthy diet. Your diet must include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. These foods provide nutrition that can help your body heal faster.

In addition to supporting physical health, a healthy diet also positively impacts fertility health [7]. Drinking plenty of water and getting enough sleep are also very important for healing.

2. Consider Prenatal Supplements

Studies show that different nutrients have a significant impact on female fertility health [7]. One way to get those nutrients is through a balanced diet, but it is not always enough in many cases.

To fill the nutritional gaps in diet, experts recommend taking prenatal supplements to females planning to conceive. A prenatal supplement, like Prenatal with DHA by Conceive Plus, is a specially formulated dietary supplement that contains all the essential nutrients for supporting a healthy pregnancy.

3. Manage Stress

Miscarriage can be very stressful and leave a long-lasting emotional impact. You must find ways to relax and reduce stress to help your body recover faster. Some women find gentle exercise, like walking or yoga, effective for feeling better. Others may find comfort in talking to a friend or counselor.

4. Talk to Your Doctor

You can consult your doctor for advice on when to try for another pregnancy. Depending on your condition, the doctor suggests whether you should wait for a certain number of cycles or try to conceive soon after miscarriage. If you are not ovulating after miscarriage, the doctor can diagnose the underlying condition and suggest suitable treatment.

5. Support and Counseling

It is normal to feel a range of emotions after a miscarriage. Some women may feel sadness, anger, or guilt. Women usually find seeking support from friends, family, or a counselor very helpful to overcome this emotional phase. Remember that you are not alone, and many women have faced similar experiences and gone on to have healthy pregnancies.

To better understand the factors influencing your chances of conception after a miscarriage, it's important to also consider the odds of miscarriage in future pregnancies, which can help manage expectations and planning.

The Bottom Line

Going through a miscarriage is emotionally and physically draining for any woman. However, in many cases, women wish to conceive again soon after a miscarriage. For this to occur, a female must closely observe the return of her cycle and detect ovulation.

Ovulation returns after two to three weeks of miscarriage in most cases. Signs of ovulation after miscarriage can help in detecting ovulation. These signs include changes in cervical mucus, an increase in basal body temperature, and slight abdominal cramps.

In addition to these signs, ovulation can be tracked using ovulation predictor kits and an ovulation calendar after miscarriage. Precise detection of ovulation helps in planning conception with maximum chances of success.

Resources Used

1. Holesh, J. E., Bass, A. N., & Lord, M. (2023, May 1). Physiology, ovulation. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441996/ 
2. Miscarriage. (2025, March 19). Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9688-miscarriage 
3. Schliep, K. C., Mitchell, E. M., Mumford, S. L., Radin, R. G., Zarek, S. M., Sjaarda, L., & Schisterman, E. F. (2016). Trying to conceive after an early pregnancy loss. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 127(2), 204–212. https://doi.org/10.1097/aog.0000000000001159 
4. Trying to get pregnant? Here’s when to have sex. (n.d.). ACOG. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/trying-to-get-pregnant-heres-when-to-have-sex 
5. Steward, K., & Raja, A. (2023, July 17). Physiology, ovulation and basal body temperature. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546686/ 
6. Brott, N. R., & Le, J. K. (2023, May 1). Mittelschmerz. StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549822/ 
7. Skoracka, K., Ratajczak, A. E., Rychter, A. M., Dobrowolska, A., & Krela-Kaźmierczak, I. (2021). Female fertility and the nutritional approach: the most essential aspects. Advances in Nutrition, 12(6), 2372–2386. https://doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmab068