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| Getting Pregnant
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Double Trouble
All you need to know about secondary infertility
By Christina Ching and Sally Watkin
“If you’ve already had one successful pregnancy, you’re more likely to conceive again than someone who’s never been pregnant, as it’s less likely that there’s a hidden problem.”
To boost your chances of conception, have sex thrice a week so that you get the best sperm. |
Even if conceiving the first time was easy, it can be a different story your second time around. You might have waited to extend your family for financial reasons, because you were climbing the career ladder, or perhaps because one little rascal was all that you could take. Whatever the reason, you want another baby now; but it’s not happening!
WHY ME?
Female factors cause one third of all cases of infertility. Common reasons include failing to ovulate, polycystic ovary syndrome (a hormonal imbalance where follicles or egg sacs develop, but fail to produce eggs), blocked fallopian tubes (which prevent the sperm reaching the egg) and endometriosis (adhesions on the uterus).
Another third of reasons are down to men, such as low sperm count or poor motility (spontaneous movement), plus hormone disorders and sexual problems, such as not being able to ejaculate.
There is also a host of other factors, including an undiagnosed sexually transmitted infection, previous illnesses such as treatment for cancer, and; perhaps most baffling of all; just plain incompatibility. One in three couples is given a diagnosis of “unexplained infertility”.
ALL IN YOUR HEAD?
“Emotional issues can also stop you getting pregnant,” says fertility expert Zita West. “I’d estimate that for one in 10 women trying to conceive her second child, emotions are a factor, from fear of another traumatic labour to relationship worries. I’ve seen couples who’ve spent 10 years trying, who, after failing to conceive even with test-tube options, have resigned themselves to it not happening ? that’s often when they conceive! A relaxed mindset is vital.”
THE AGONY OF BUMP ENVY
If you have problems conceiving for the first time, prepare for a deluge of sympathy and support from family, friends and the medical profession. But if you are struggling to make Baby Number Two, you’re likely to encounter some antipathy, if not outright hostility.
The emotional impact of failing to conceive can be unbearable. Everywhere you look, there are pregnant women with beautiful bumps, adorable babies and mums bursting with happiness… even though you feel as if your world is falling apart. The agony can get worse as your first child becomes more independent.
“Just because you already have a child doesn’t mean you should feel guilty about wanting to have another; it can be just as difficult to come to terms with,” says Dr Jane Stewart, a consultant in reproductive medicine at Newcastle Fertility Centre in the UK.
YOUR ACTION PLAN
Don’t panic! There is some good news: “If you’ve already had one successful pregnancy, you’re more likely to conceive again than someone who’s never been pregnant, as it’s less likely that there’s a hidden problem,” Dr Stewart says.
Make sure your lifestyle is conducive to pregnancy “You need to be fit and healthy,” she notes. “Eat a balanced diet and take a daily 0.4mg folic acid supplement, to help prevent your unborn baby developing any neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.” Being obese or underweight may affect hormone levels and prevent ovulation. “Also, you and your husband should cut your alcohol intake and give up smoking, as it ages the ovaries and doesn’t help sperm function.”
See your gynae for tests Seek advice if you’ve been having regular unprotected sex for a year (or six months if you’re over 35). You’ll be given blood tests to measure your hormone levels and find out if you’re ovulating, and your husband’s sperm may be tested. Other tests may include X-rays or a laparoscopy (examining your ovaries through a tiny microscope) to check your reproductive system. You may be offered clomifene citrate (Clomid), a drug that stimulates ovulation.
Try TCM Body imbalances and deficiencies are the most common causes of infertility, according to TCM practitioner and acupuncturist Dr Swee Yong Peng, CEO of ParkwayHealth Day Surgery and Medical Centre. To treat infertility problems, herbs will be prescribed to correct various disorders or you may need to undergo acupuncture.
Consider test-tube options if none of the above works.
These include:
• IUI (intra-uterine insemination), where “washed” sperm are injected into the uterus.
• IVF (in vitro fertilisation), where eggs and sperm are fertilised outside the body, then implanted in your womb.
• ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection), where a single sperm is injected into an egg.
• Using a donor egg or sperm.
Here’s some good news: IVF is more effective for women who have been pregnant or had a baby before.
KEEP TALKING
Fertility treatment is stressful, invasive and can take its toll on your relationship. For advice and a listening ear, visit www.alife.org.sg.
Be open to other ways of extending your family, such as fostering and adoption In Singapore, some 700 adoptions are arranged every year, according to the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports. “Some couples have to accept the fact they’re not going to have another baby,” Dr Stewart notes. “Some people decide to continue trying even though their chances of success are slim. Whatever they decide, we try to encourage them to have counselling to help them through it.”
To find out more about adopting a child, check out http://fcd.ecitizen.gov.sg/ChildrenNParenthood/AdoptAChild/.
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
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