It’s Not Always Easier The Second Time Around
Some couples envision a large family filled with happy children running around the home. At first, things feel like a breeze. Conceiving, pregnancy, and childbirth happened without issue. After trying again months or years later, there seems to be a challenge. Fertility is fluid, and some couples are shocked to find out that infertility can happen even after having at least one child. Doctors describe this condition as secondary infertility, and the impact of the condition cannot be overstated. Couples can experience frustration, disappointment, anger, and guilt. While troubling, secondary infertility is not uncommon. Here are 3 possible reasons and the best course of action to achieve the desired outcome.
1. The love-hate relationship between age and fertility
The reproductive health of women and men is a narrow window. Most adults enjoy reproductive peaks during the early 20s. Over time, the chances of achieving pregnancy decrease. Women have a set number of follicles in the ovaries. Over time, the quantity and quality of these eggs decrease, making conception more difficult. A diminished ovarian reserve can be a primary driver if the couples decide to conceive again in the late 30s or 40s. Men can also experience diminished reproductive health, though not at the same rate as women. Therefore, both parties should seek a comprehensive health check to find the cause of secondary infertility.
2. Consider a postpartum complication
Childbirth is not always a straightforward process. Some women may experience complications from a previous pregnancy, such as Cesarian section scarring or damage to the uterus. Some pregnancies can also lead to endometriosis, a potentially serious condition that can lead to infertility. The scars and damage caused by these complications can cause blockages to the fallopian tubes or prevent implantation. Some women may experience no symptoms or are unaware of these issues until the desire for more children arises. Addressing these underlying health challenges or allowing the body more time to heal may be enough to improve the chances of pregnancy.
3. Life changes, and so do we
No one is immune to life’s challenges and the potential decline of overall health. At the time of previous pregnancies, a couple may have been at the peak of health. Over time, weight gain or rapid weight loss, lifestyle diseases, or increased stress can impact fertility. These changes impact reproductive hormones, leading to potential challenges in getting pregnant. Certain medications or therapies can also disrupt the hormones necessary for fertility or cause sterility. Treatments for diseases like cancer can damage reproductive organs and fertility. Revealing the desire to get pregnant before treatment can help doctors and patients come up with a plan to preserve fertility.
Your next steps
Consider seeing a doctor if pregnancy does not occur after 12 months of consistent unprotected sexual intercourse. This benchmark is often a sign of secondary infertility. A comprehensive review of general and reproductive health may reveal the possible cause of the condition. Lifestyle changes, rest, and hormone medication can improve fertility. Addressing underlying medical conditions through surgery or medication is sometimes enough to jumpstart fertility. Early intervention can save time and money and lead to increased happiness between couples.
Consider IVF
With advanced age, poor sperm health, or fallopian tube damage, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be necessary. The process extracts and combines sperm and egg to create viable embryos. The best embryo is then transferred to the uterine lining, bypassing any potential barrier to pregnancy. IVF is the first step in many assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that can improve the chances of pregnancy. Combining IVF with donor eggs, donor sperm, or surrogacy in severe cases.
A chance to do it all again
Secondary infertility can be emotionally confusing for couples. Many do not understand why pregnancy seems impossible when there were no issues in the past. There is also a challenge with maintaining gratitude for the current family while longing for an unfulfilled goal of more children. Moreover, family or friends tend to misunderstand this struggle. There are many layers to secondary fertility, but this is not the end of family planning goals. Speak with a doctor and consider strategies like IVF if the recommended changes or treatments fail to produce a pregnancy.
