Conception after early IVF pregnancy loss – Should we wait?

Abstract Research Question Is the interval length between an early pregnancy loss and the following treatment cycle a predictor for achieving clinical pregnancy among IVF patients? Design This retrospective cohort study of 257 women who reinitiated treatment after first-trimester IVF pregnancy loss was conducted at a tertiary, university-affiliated medical centre from 1/1/2014 to 1/1/2018. Women 18-40 years, with normal uterine cavity, who experienced first-trimester pregnancy loss Results Among 257 women, interval to subsequent IVF treatment was not associated with achieving pregnancy. Patients after chemical pregnancy (72.7±56.4, median 60 days) or spontaneous miscarriage (97.7±93.1, median 66 days) had shorter intervals to next cycle, as compared with medical (111.9±103.2, median 65 days) or surgical (123.4±111.1, median 84 days) (Kaplan-Meier, P=0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that the chance of subsequent pregnancy was affected by type of miscarriage and number of embryos transferred (P When pregnancy was achieved in the first post-miscarriage cycle, the chance of live birth increased with shorter intervals (median 57.5 days), while second miscarriage was related to longer intervals (median 82.5 days) between miscarriage and subsequent IVF cycle (P=0.03). Conclusion Based on this cohort, IVF should not be postponed post-pregnancy loss, as shorter intervals were associated with greater likelihood of live birth.