Non-embryonic pregnancy - Nishmat Yoatzot Halacha

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Non-embryonic pregnancy

July 12, 2017

Question

My wife had a D&C for a non-embryonic pregnancy. This was around 6 weeks and a few days after ovulation (it was a medicated cycle, and she was given a trigger shot, so we know the date of ovulation).

Given that it was 40 days after ovulation/conception, do we have to wait 14 days after the D&C before she goes to the mikvah? Or since this wasn’t a viable pregnancy (there was no embryo, only an empty gestational sac, and this was diagnosed almost two weeks before the D&C), can she go 12 days later, like in a normal cycle?

Answer

We are sorry to hear of the non-embryonic pregnancy.

In general, a woman who experiences a miscarriage at least 40 days after conception enters the halachic status of tumat leidah (similar to a woman who gave birth). If the gender of the fetus was unknown, or known to be female, she would need to wait at least 14 days before immersing. But in this case, because there was no fetus, your wife does not have tumat leidah. She is permitted to immerse as after a normal cycle.

Please write back with any further questions.