Secondary Infertility

[YokoUhOh]

Hi everyone

DS will be 3 in November and we've had no luck trying for a brother or sister. I haven't used any contraception since he was born. I gave up breastfeeding DS 2 months ago as I was worried it was affecting my fertility; my periods only returned 6 months ago (I'm definitely ovulating, checked with Clearblue monitor). I'll be 35 next birthday.

Should I go to GP and will she be able to help me at this stage? Everyone I know has had number 2, including people with first babies much younger than mine.

I think the guidelines say to refer to the GP after a year of TTC if you're under 35 and after 6 months if you're over 35.

I would go and see your GP. The fact you haven't had a pregnancy despite not using contraception for nearly 3 years suggests they should do some investigations. It's difficult though when you've only been having periods for 6 months....I'm no expert but that sounds quite unusual to me. Unless you were breastfeeding overnight but even then, he would have been feeding less than as a newborn so I would have thought it wouldn't be suppressing fertility to the same extent.

Did you have irregular periods before you got pregnant and how long did you take to conceive your DS?

Thanks Pandora. In the six months since they started again, periods have been regular. It took a few months to conceive DS but not more than 6, probably. My mum went through early menopause so I wonder if this is the beginning of it?

I'd popped to GPs and have a chat as it's always good to speak to someone early. Just because you aren't using contraception, it doesn't mean you would necessarliy fall pregnant. It may not be hitting the right times of the months. Also, maybe the type of birth you had may be a consideration?

Things can happen to our bodies and men's sperm in 3 years, so if you feel like something isn't quite right, you may as well seek advice from gp.

good luck.

I was in a similar position to you (but older, ds1 was born when I was 35).

Definitely go and see if your GP can refer you for any tests. However, where I live, I had to pay for all the tests that were suggested, because I already had a child. And everything came back as normal all even good for my age which was really frustrating.

In the end we had just started down the route of (private) IVF and had been through all the preliminary tests when I fell pregnant naturally aged 40.

I hope everything works out for you, I know how tough it is to have secondary infertility.

Definitely go and see your GP.

One question: did you have a c-section with DS? My c-section was the cause of my secondary infertility, but nobody even looked into it until we'd been ttc numbe 2 for 4 years. Happy to go into more detail if this is relevant for you, but won't go on about it if it isn't. Good luck

Thanks everyone

I had a vaginal delivery, but a 3rd degree tear (small baby who turned at the last second...). I breastfed DS until 2 months ago, so perhaps the luteal phase needed rebalancing? I'm having sex a couple of times around ovulation (checked cervical mucus and did ovulation tests).

DH is 9 years older if that makes a difference...?

I think just go to the docs and ask for the preliminary tests for him and you. Good luck and let's hope it's just a matter of time for you. x

Well...first day of period yesterday so took a test...and BFP! No idea whether or not it will stick but at least I know things are working!!! Thanks everyone for your advice.

Lucky you!!! Congrats. What relief you must feel! Hope you have a lovely pregnancy

Congratulations. Great news!

Thank you I was starting to wonder if #1 was a miracle baby!