Expert: Shan Yi Sheng - 4/1/2010

Question
Dear Dr. Shan,

I had 4 abortions from the ages of 18 - 25.  I am so ashamed of them and I do understand that abortions are not a form of contraception.  I was on the pill on and off at the time.  I am now 32 and married.  I got pregnant right away and found out the baby did not grow after 6.5 weeks and I miscarried at 8.5 weeks.  I had a D&C after the miscarriage.  I have never had any complications after the abortions and my periods have always been normal.  I am a healthy person and I would say much healthier than most people I know, so I don't know what would've caused the miscarriage except that there is a problem with my uterus.  Do you think that the miscarriage had to do with the abortions?  I am so scared.  I even had an ultrasound 2 months after my miscarriage and they didn't really see anything major from a regular and transvaginal ultrasound.  I am so scared and all I can think about is the fact that my past abortions caused this and will continue to cause miscarriages.  I even stressed about the pregnancy itself the month before and during my pregnancy due my previous abortions.  Could stress have caused this too?  I'm sorry for the long email.

Amber

Answer
Hi Amber,
Abortions performed in a medical setting normally do not influence your fertility.
Causes of miscarriages are many; its a measure from nature to prevent the births of sick, handicapped or non-
viable children.
Stress itself cannot cause miscarriage.
hope this answers your questions.
Do not worry to much; if you want a baby: try, try again.
Bests,


Dr Shan