When RPOC Leads to Infection and Scarring —And How Surrogacy Can Help

Retained products of conception (RPOC) after miscarriage can create lasting complications that impact your ability to carry future pregnancies, but surrogacy offers a safe, hopeful path to parenthood when your body needs additional support.

Through gestational surrogacy, you can still have a biological child using your own genetic material while protecting your health and giving your family the best chance at success.

What if the most meaningful conversation you have this year is the one that finally puts your dreams of parenthood within reach? Schedule a consultation today and learn more.  

Whether you’re wondering “can you get pregnant with retained tissue after miscarriage” or facing fertility challenges after RPOC complications, understanding your options can help you move forward with confidence toward building the family you’ve always wanted.

What Are Retained Products of Conception (RPOC)?

Retained products of conception occur when tissue from pregnancy — such as placental fragments, fetal tissue, or gestational sac material — remains in your uterus after a miscarriage, delivery, or termination.

This retained tissue after miscarriage happens more commonly than many people realize, affecting up to 10% of pregnancies that end in loss.

When asking “can you get pregnant with retained tissue after miscarriage?,” it’s important to understand that RPOC doesn’t just affect your immediate recovery — it can create lasting complications that impact future fertility.

The retained tissue acts like a foreign object in your uterus, potentially triggering your body’s inflammatory response and preventing proper healing.

RPOC after miscarriage can occur even when everything seems to have passed naturally.

Sometimes small fragments remain attached to the uterine wall, invisible during initial examination but capable of causing significant problems over time. These fragments can range from tiny pieces of placental tissue to larger sections of gestational material.

How RPOC Can Lead to Infection

When tissue remains in your uterus longer than it should, it creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth and infection from retained products of conception.

 Your uterus is designed to empty completely after pregnancy loss, and when it doesn’t, the retained material can become infected, leading to endometritis or other serious complications.

The infection risk increases significantly when retained products of conception after miscarriage go undiagnosed or untreated.

Bacteria that normally live harmlessly in your vagina can travel upward into your uterus, where they find the perfect breeding ground in the retained tissue. This can lead to:

Left untreated, these infections can spread beyond your uterus to your fallopian tubes and ovaries, potentially causing pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The inflammatory response doesn’t just fight the immediate infection — it can also trigger scar tissue formation that permanently alters your reproductive anatomy.

When Retained Tissue After a Miscarriage Leads to Fertility Challenges and IVF Failure

The question “can retained products of conception cause infertility” has a complex answer that depends on how your body responds to the retained tissue and any resulting complications.

When RPOC leads to infection and inflammation, your uterus may develop adhesions or scar tissue that significantly impacts your ability to conceive and maintain future pregnancies.

One of the most serious consequences is Asherman’s syndrome, where scar tissue forms bands across your uterine cavity. This scarring can partially or completely block your uterus, making it impossible for an embryo to implant properly or for a pregnancy to develop normally. Even when implantation occurs, the scarred uterine lining may not provide adequate support for a growing pregnancy.

The impact on IVF success can be devastating.

You may find yourself facing repeated implantation failures, wondering why embryos that look perfect in the lab won’t take hold in your uterus. The scar tissue from RPOC complications can reduce blood flow to your uterine lining, create physical barriers to implantation, or prevent your endometrium from thickening properly during treatment cycles.

When IVF Fails: Recognizing It’s Time for Surrogacy

After multiple failed IVF cycles, it may be time to consider whether your uterus can safely sustain a pregnancy. When RPOC has caused significant scarring or structural damage, continuing to attempt pregnancy in your own uterus may not be the safest or most effective path forward.

Many reproductive endocrinologists recommend considering gestational surrogacy when structural uterine problems — like those caused by severe RPOC complications — make pregnancy unlikely to succeed.

This isn’t giving up on your dreams; it’s choosing the path most likely to result in bringing home a healthy baby.

The emotional transition from trying to carry your own pregnancy to working with a surrogate can feel overwhelming, but many intended parents find that surrogacy actually reduces their anxiety.

Instead of worrying about whether your scarred uterus can support a pregnancy, you can focus on preparing to welcome your child while knowing they’re growing in a healthy, carefully monitored environment.

How Surrogacy Preserves Your Genetic Connection

One of the biggest concerns intended parents have when considering surrogacy is maintaining their biological connection to their child.

Gestational surrogacy allows you to create embryos using your own eggs and your partner’s sperm (or donor gametes if needed), ensuring your baby is genetically yours while being carried by someone whose uterus can provide the optimal environment for pregnancy.

If you already have frozen embryos from previous IVF attempts, these can often be used in a surrogacy arrangement, potentially speeding up your timeline to parenthood. Many intended parents find comfort in knowing that the embryos they’ve already invested in — emotionally and financially — can still lead to a successful pregnancy through surrogacy.

The IVF process for creating embryos remains the same whether you’re planning to carry the pregnancy yourself or work with a surrogate.

The key difference is that instead of transferring embryos to your scarred uterus, they’re transferred to your surrogate’s healthy uterine environment, where they have the best chance of successful implantation and development.

Understanding Surrogacy Costs After Failed Fertility Treatments

Surrogacy costs typically range from $100,000-$200,000+, which can feel overwhelming when you’ve already spent significant money on fertility treatments. Understanding what goes into these costs can help you plan and identify potential areas for savings.

The largest components typically include:

• Surrogate compensation
• Agency fees
• Medical expenses
• legal fees
• Additional costs may include insurance, travel, and miscellaneous expenses throughout your journey

What’s covered varies by agency and program, but comprehensive programs typically include matching services, case management, legal support, and financial protection.

Some programs also include insurance coordination and emergency support services.

Financing Surrogacy After IVF Expenses

You don’t have to let previous fertility treatment costs prevent you from pursuing surrogacy. Multiple financing options can make surrogacy more affordable and manageable:

Emotional Healing: From Loss to Hope Through Surrogacy

Transitioning from fertility struggles and pregnancy loss to surrogacy requires emotional healing alongside practical planning. You’re not alone in this journey, and connecting with others who understand your experience can provide invaluable support.

Consider joining these supportive communities where you can share experiences and find encouragement:

• r/Miscarriage — A compassionate community for those who have experienced pregnancy loss
• r/IVF — Support and advice from others navigating fertility treatments
• r/InfertilitySucks — Honest discussions about the challenges of building a family
• RESOLVE — National infertility association with local support groups and online resources
• Men Having Babies — Support specifically for male partners navigating fertility challenges

Many intended parents find that surrogacy actually provides emotional relief after fertility struggles. Instead of your body being the potential barrier to pregnancy success, you can focus on preparing to parent while knowing your baby is growing in an optimal environment.

Taking Your Next Step: Moving Forward with Confidence

You’ve survived pregnancy loss, navigated complex medical challenges, and shown incredible resilience in your family-building journey.

Surrogacy isn’t Plan B — it’s a thoughtful, proactive choice that gives your baby the best possible start while protecting your own health and well-being.

The path from RPOC complications to surrogacy success isn’t just about overcoming medical obstacles; it’s about choosing hope over fear and taking control of your family-building story. Every day you wait is another day your dreams of parenthood remain on hold, but surrogacy can move you forward with confidence and realistic expectations.

What if the family you’ve dreamed of is just one conversation away? Schedule a consultation today to Start your surrogacy journey with expert guidance and support.

Q&A

Can you get pregnant naturally after RPOC complications?

While natural conception may be possible depending on the extent of scarring or damage, many women with significant RPOC complications find that surrogacy provides a more reliable path to successful pregnancy and parenthood.

How long should I wait before considering surrogacy after RPOC treatment?

This depends on your specific medical situation and recovery timeline. Most reproductive endocrinologists recommend discussing surrogacy if multiple IVF cycles have failed due to uterine factors or if imaging shows significant structural damage.

Will insurance cover surrogacy after RPOC complications?

Insurance coverage varies significantly. Some policies may cover portions of the medical care, while others exclude surrogacy entirely. Work with a knowledgeable agency to understand your coverage and financing options.