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Expert Q&A
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| By Traci Kurtzer Obstetrician and Gynecologist | ||
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I miscarried in October and we have been trying to get pregnant since January -- it's now June. My mother took DES in 1969 to prevent a miscarriage with me. Does this affect my chances of getting pregnant and my chances of carrying to full term? Thank you.
DES, or diethylstilbestrol, was a hormone given to pregnant women in the 1950's and 1960's to prevent miscarriage. It was later found to cause certain congenital defects in the reproductive tracts of their daughters. DES may affect the shape of the uterus which can increase the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. Many women who were DES-exposed can have completely normal fertility and normal pregnancy outcomes.
However, you should have an evaluation of your reproductive and urinary tract to see if you might have a problem prior to trying to conceive. There is a national registry for DES-exposed women and listings of physicians who have expertise in caring for women with this condition.
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