Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 8/26/2006

Question
HI Dr Conner,
I miscarried and had a D&C on July 13th. I got my period on August 18th and again today (August 26th). Is this normal? How can I track for ovulation?
Do you see benefit in taking multivitamins and folic acid to help?
Thanks!

Answer
Danielle,
Thanks for your question.   
Since you had a D & C, there is a low risk that the miscarriage was incomplete, which would cause abnormal bleeding.  Menstrual cycles can be abnormal after a miscarriage for up to a few cycles.  It's a good idea to be using a reliable birth control method until your cycles are normal again, since it's difficult to predict ovulation.  General recommendations are to wait 2-3 months before attempting pregnancy again.  You can start tracking your cycles at any time, however.  Fertility awareness uses basal body temperature, cervical mucous, and cervical position to keep track of menstrual cycles.  Ovulation predictors can be used along with this.  There are books and websites that can help you learn this method.  
A high quality multiple vitamin/ mineral is something I'd recommend for most people, for various reasons.  In a woman trying to get pregnant, folic acid is used to prevent neural tube defects which can occur very early in pregnancy, so it's a good idea to take this vitamin in particular.  Other vitamins that are useful before and around conception and pregnancy are B vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and iron.  If you are iron-deficient anemic, then bleeding may be abnormal or prolonged, so it may be wise to have that possibility checked.  It often occurs after a significant loss of blood.  
Good luck in your search
Dr Conner