SSM Health: Secondary Infertility

From the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton:

June 4, 2021

SSM Health

Are you ready for another baby, but having a hard time getting pregnant this time around? You’re not alone – many couples can experience secondary infertility.

Dr. Amy Loreen, SLUCare OB/GYN, helps us understand secondary infertility and when you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. We’ll be with you every step of the way on your journey to motherhood.

What is secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility is the inability to get pregnant after you’ve already had a baby. Almost 50 percent of infertility cases are due to secondary infertility. In fact, it’s more common to have trouble getting pregnant in subsequent pregnancies than in your first pregnancy. It’s especially common in women who wait until their late 30s or even 40s, when fertility declines, to have their second babies.

What causes secondary infertility?

If you experienced a complication in a previous pregnancy such as uterine scarring or damage to the fallopian tubes, you can experience issues with conceiving again, but most often it is caused by advanced age, obesity and ovulation problems.

What can I do about secondary infertility?

Schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN to discuss expanding your family and concerns you have. There are some things you can do to help increase fertility:

• Nutrition: You don’t have to wait until you’re pregnant to start eating healthy. In fact, following a healthy diet before you conceive can help boost fertility, lower the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida and even reduce your chances of developing preeclampsia.
• Exercise: An exercise routine can help you maintain a healthy weight and sometimes even the littlest bit of weight loss can help increase your chances of getting pregnant.
• Minimize stress: Juggling all the everyday stresses of life and trying to get pregnant can be nerve-wracking for anyone. Find ways to relieve stress and make it part of your daily routine. You’ll feel more relaxed – and might just have an easier time getting pregnant too.

When should I visit the doctor?

I think it’s always helpful to schedule a visit with your OB/GYN if you’re getting concerned while trying to conceive. We can help you figure out next steps and address your questions and fears. If you’re younger than 35, it’s perfectly normal for it to take 6 months to a year to conceive. If it has been over a year, we can refer you to a fertility specialist.

If you’re over the age of 35, then I would suggest seeing a fertility specialist after 6 months of trying to conceive.

Once you make an appointment, you and your doctor will come up with a treatment plan and will do everything they can to help you achieve your goal of pregnancy.

Learn more about fertility, family planning services and maternity care at SSM Health.

This press release was produced by the SSM Health St. Clare Hospital - Fenton. The views expressed are the author's own.