The effect of a very short interpregnancy interval and pregnancy outcomes following a previous pregnancy loss

Luchin F. Wong, Karen C. Schliep, Robert M. Silver, Sunni L. Mumford, Neil J. Perkins, Aijun Ye, Noya Galai, Jean Wactawski-Wende, Anne M. Lynch, Janet M. Townsend, David Faraggi, Enrique F. Schisterman

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective We sought to assess the relationship between a short interpregnancy interval (IPI) following a pregnancy loss and subsequent live birth and pregnancy outcomes. Study Design A secondary analysis of women enrolled in the Effects of Aspirin in Gestation and Reproduction trial with a human chorionic gonadotropin-positive pregnancy test and whose last reproductive outcome was a loss were included in this analysis (n = 677). IPI was defined as the time between last pregnancy loss and last menstrual period of the current pregnancy and categorized by 3-month intervals. Pregnancy outcomes include live birth, pregnancy loss, and any pregnancy complications. These were compared between IPI groups using multivariate relative risk estimation by Poisson regression. Results Demographic characteristics were similar between IPI groups. The mean gestational age of prior pregnancy loss was 8.6 ± 2.8 weeks. The overall live birth rate was 76.5%, with similar live birth rates between those with IPI ≤3 months as compared to IPI >3 months (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98-1.16). Rates were also similar for periimplantation loss (aRR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.51-1.80), clinically confirmed loss (aRR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.51-1.10), and any pregnancy complication (aRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.71-1.09) for those with IPI ≤3 months as compared to IPI >3 months. Conclusion Live birth rates and adverse pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy loss, were not associated with a very short IPI after a prior pregnancy loss. The traditional recommendation to wait at least 3 months after a pregnancy loss before attempting a new pregnancy may not be warranted.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)375.e1-375.e11
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume212
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Mar 2015

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This research was supported by the Intramural Research Program of the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development , National Institutes of Health , Bethesda, MD, contract numbers HHSN267200603423 , HHSN267200603424 , and HHSN267200603426 .

Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Keywords

  • interpregnancy interval
  • miscarriage
  • pregnancy loss
  • pregnancy outcomes
  • spontaneous abortion

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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