TTC #2 after infertility for #1 - any others out there

[Bluebellsfortwo]

Hi all! Just wondering if there are others like me who are struggling with infertility for a second time.

Bit of background, I'm very lucky to have a 2 year old, who took 4 years plus one round of IVF to conceive due to male factor infertility.

Since she was born, we haven't used any form of protection. We were both hoping we would be one of those to fall pregnant naturally after infertility, like so many others I've seen. Well, it obviously hasn't happened and 2 years later I feel embarrassed even thinking that would happen lol.

Anyway, we are back on the TTC train properly now. Last cycle was the first cycle properly tracking etc and the BFN really stung. Anyone else out there?

Not me, but I've seen threads with people in a similar position

For example here: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/infertility/4770341-ivf-sibling-round-support

Its true some couples who have gone through unexplained infertility and had to go through ivf to conceive have then gone on and actually fell pregnant by accident naturally but I think unfortunately this is the exception not the rule. Some people just needed a hormone boost so it all just depends on the individual circumstances. For most people they will need to undergo ivf treatment to conceive again.

I realise this is an old thread but I wondered how you are getting on @Bluebellsfortwo ?

I am in the same position - very lucky to have conceived (naturally) after several years and failed IVF rounds x 2 but has now been over two years of trying for number 2 and apart from more failed IVF and a(nother) devastating miscarriage, it feels we are nearing the end of the road (I am 40 in a few months’ time). I was so hoping to be one of those people who gets pregnant easily the second time around after having had a baby but now feels laughable I could ever think that. Am trying to accept my situation and move forward with my life but have no idea how and cannot escape the unbearable sadness.

Hi @Hazzakay , so sorry to hear you are struggling with infertility again. It's brutally heartbreaking when you go through both primary and then secondary infertility, like, why can't I catch a break??? I'm sending you so much love, hugs, positivity and well wishes that you will achieve your dream and even sooner than you think.

As for me, well somehow miraculously - I'm pregnant! Naturally! I still can't quite believe it. After being diagnosed with severe male factor infertility, going through years of infertility, MC, doing ICSI for our first - I somehow fell pregnant naturally in March, for the first time in 7+ years. I'm sure you can understand the utter shock of a situation like this, as you mentioned you also had a natural pregnancy after years of infertility and IVF.

We had been gearing up to do another round of IVF abroad when we found out. In January I found out my AMH had plumetted to very low levels (3pmol), and combined with my partners male factor infertility, we started to get really scared that time was running out so we started on a really strict supplement routine in preparation for multi cycle IVF, did all the consultations, confirmed our protocol etc and then a natural pregnancy out of nowhere. (Well, we had been having unprotected sex for over 2 years, so maybe not "out of nowhere" but nowhere near the gruelling IVF rounds we were used to!)

Really hoping this maybe gives you some hope that anything is still possible ❤️ Please don't give up xxx

Wow, @Bluebellsfortwo that’s amazing! Just the update I wanted to hear! Massive congratulations. How many weeks are you? What supplement regime did you follow? How old are you (if you don’t mind me asking)?

Am feeling especially hopeless today. Just had a week’s holiday with my husband and son and couldn’t enjoy it at all as feeling so broken hearted at the thought of never having another baby. It’s become all consuming - after having been through years of it the first time and now two and a half years a second time with no success and ever diminishing odds. I just need one good egg - doesn’t feel like I’m asking for the world here!

Thanks @Hazzakay 😊 I'm almost 15 weeks now. I'm 30 years old.

These are the supplements we took:

For him:

L-Carnitine 2000mg
NAC 600mg
CoQ10 300mg
Omega 3 2000mg
Vitamin D high strength
And a standard fertility multivitamin (Wellman Conception).

For me:

Prenatal with methylfolate,
Melatonin 3mg,
CoQ10 500mg,
NAC 600mg,
L-Carnitine 1000mg,
DHEA 75mg,
Omega 3 2000mg,
Vitamin D high strength

It was a really thorough protocol because we have severe male factor infertility as well as DOR and we wanting to maximise our egg and sperm quality ahead of our duostim IVF round we had planned.

We also both took a GLP1 (MJ) last year and lost weight. I lost 25kg and he lost 15kg. I think this definitely played a role also.

Hope this helps ❤️ I completely understand your feelings. I threw myself into obsessive researching on IVF protocols for months and months because it was the only way I was able to cope. Be easy on yourself. Infertility is such a shit battle but you are strong and you will get through it again xx