am I fertile or infertile?

[beckstarguitar]

I waited over six painful and frustrating years for my first child. They were conceived after 2 attempts at ivf. To my shock and delight I conceived naturally with my 2nd child while my first was only 9 months old and I was still breastfeeding on our first attempt! For the last three years we have been trying again without any success. I know how lucky I am but I have such a strong maternal instinct. I want a third and final baby. I can't think about anything else. Time is running out. I'm almost 38 and feel very depressed that this probably won't happen. I dread a future of getting old too and my fertile years being at an end. I think it is something I will dwell on as I get older and have regrets and bitterness. So many people I know have or are having their third. It just seems to go to plan for most people. Easy as pie for them. The frustration eats away at me. We were given the title 'unexplained infertility'. Had an IVF baby. I conceived the 2nd naturally easy peasy, so must be fertile? Then the big battle again. Does anybody know what a previous pregnancy can do to help achieve a successful natural conception/pregnancy 2nd time around? I believe if I hadn't had a baby via IVF I wouldn't have had my 2nd baby. Did the pregnancy do something to my body. Move things around a bit, change my hormones etc???? Why can't I get pregnant now? Am I fertile or infertile? Any tips please? Help!

Hi Beck Sounds like you've been through a lot.

Ive read about a lot of women who had problems conceiving and treatment and conceived and then conceived again very quickly after.

I dont know for definite but having a baby is such a massive thing that involves alot of hormones and maybe your first pregnancy balanced you out.

I've also read that all women are very fertile after giving birth so this would have also played a part.

How long have you been trying for your 3rd baby??

Is it not worth going to a GP and starting investigations again as you had trouble originally.

Hi Blueberry. I actually had another laparoscopy for suspected endometriosis. I've suffered pain for 18months. My consultant said on my notes, no endometriosis and no pelvic inflammatory disease, normal womb and ovaries. However, they discovered a partially blocked fallopian tube on one side at the follicular end. When I had a lap for initial investigations when trying for our first I had completely patent/open tubes. So I don't know how this has happened. Endo can cause it, I have the pain but no evidence of it. I see my consultant to discus things soon. I don't want the procedure to correct it because I am nearly 38. We can not afford treatment and after going through IVF and Icsi don't want to endure it again. Well I would but the husband doesn't want to. He's a little older than me. I've also had recent blood test. Ovulation is confirmed but my reserve is borderline at about 9.9. I'm having a repeat day 2 test tomorrow at my request because not so long ago I'm sure my ovarian reserve was 5 or 6 so it has jumped significantly in a short space of time. I'm grateful for what I have but get so frustrated and I suppose a little jealous that some women can make the decision to have a baby and just 'get pregnant'! Thank you for your time Blueberry x