Secondary Infertility
You thought that getting pregnant would easy since you've already had a child. Secondary infertility – which means not being able to conceive after you've already successfully had at least one baby – is a surprise to many women. It's also surprisingly common, and often accounts for over 50% of infertile couples at any given time.
What Exactly is Secondary Infertility?
Experts classify secondary infertility as the inability to get pregnant in a reasonable amount of time after conceiving a child naturally. It also includes women who can get pregnant, but have recurrent miscarriages and are unable to carry a baby to term. Secondary infertility, like all forms of infertility, is on the rise.
Many couples who experience primary infertility seek out fertility treatments or look for natural ways of boosting their fertility. However, studies show that if you're experiencing secondary infertility you're a lot less likely to ask for help – especially through infertility treatments.
You may assume that because you got pregnant before, you'll be able to again. Many medical doctors will actually tell you this, too.
Why Is it Happening?
Secondary infertility usually has the same causes as primary infertility. There are a lot of them, including infection, poor nutrition, weight issues (either too much or too little weight), and other problems can all contribute to infertility, among other things.
The good news about things is that since you can often successfully get pregnant despite infertility, the same is also true about secondary cases. In fact, you can usually use natural fertility boosters.
Should I Go to the Doctor?
It's not a bad idea to see your doctor or midwife if you're having trouble conceiving. They can help you rule out blockages and other issues. They can also help if you're having thyroid problems, a common cause of difficulty in conceiving, especially the second time around.
Seeing your doctor can help rule things out and is a good idea if you've been trying to conceive for six months or so – especially if you're charting.
Remember that just as with primary infertility, there's a lot you can do to understand your fertility signs and boost your fertility naturally.
What Should I Do Now?
Start by reviewing fertility basics and start charting your cycle. If you're not cycling, now is a good time to figure out why.
Are you breastfeeding? If so, your cycles may not have returned and you may not be ovulating yet. Some women will not ovulate until they have completely stopped nursing.
If you have PCOS that could be another reason you're not having periods. Be sure to read the info on PCOS.
Irregular cycles can be caused by many issues (including breastfeeding and PCOS!) – so taking a look at your cycle is a great way to “start” figuring out why you're not getting pregnant.
Another good place to start is by taking a look at your nutrition. It's really easy to get caught up in caring for your family and forget to make adequate, nourishing meals for yourself.
If you know you have an issue like PCOS or endometriosis, start by finding out more about natural ways to treat those issues.
(NOTE: Want the Top Easy Steps to Boosting Your Fertility? Use these 5 simple, evidence-based steps to get pregnant and carry your healthy baby to term. Get them here.)
