Secondary infertility a growing problem
One in five women who have a smooth first pregnancy find it hard to conceive a second time
Couples who are trying for a second baby may not be as lucky. While the number of young couples opting for In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment is on the rise, secondary infertility has proven to be an obstacle for many women, Dr David Robertson, group medical director, Bourn Hall International, told Gulf News on the occasion of World IVF Day, which is observed on July 25 every year.
After having a smooth firsttime pregnancy, many couples are surprised to face difficulties in conceiving again, and carrying a pregnancy to term without having to resort to assisted reproductive technologies or fertility medications.
For 40-year-old Z.R. from Pakistan, getting pregnant was always a challenge.
After getting married at the age of 31, Z.R. was unable to conceive the following year after which she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
“After visiting the doctor, I was told to get an ovulation study done, which is when I discovered that I have PCOS. During the treatment for the condition, I conceived naturally, but had a miscarriage,” Z.R. said.
Holding on to hope, the couple continued to seek treatment Couples under 35 years should seek advice after a year of unsuccessfully trying to conceive, while women over 35 should seek advice six months after unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant, Dr David Robertson said
If a woman is trying to have her second baby in her thirties, it could be much harder the second time around, as female fertility starts decreasing after 30.
Another factor that plays a role in secondary fertility is that couples have less time to try and conceive for the second or third child, as they are so busy looking after the child/children they have. It may be very emotionally distressing having difficulty conceiving the second or subsequent baby.
Dr Robertson said it has been observed that couples facing secondary infertility find it harder to receive social support compared to those experiencing primary infertility as there is no loss in the family. with the faith they will one day become parents.
Z.R. underwent three cycles of intrauterine insemination (IUI), a fertility treatment that involves insemination into a woman’s uterus to facilitate fertilisation, followed by two cycles of IVF.
“All five cycles of IUI and IVF were unsuccessful. I was told the quality of my eggs was not great, and I needed to lose weight before giving IVF another try,” Z.R. said.
A few months later, Z.R. was ecstatic to have conceived naturally, and welcomed baby Sakina at the end of 2013.
“A year and a half later, we started trying for a second child, but we have had no luck yet. I also broke my leg last year, which has delayed my exercise plan to lose weight before opting for IVF again,” said Z.R..
Describing the experience as “overwhelming”, Z.R. referred to the disappointment, cost and effort she endured with her husband during each unsuccessful cycle of treatment.
“What helped us is a strong support system around us, including family members, inlaws, and friends. My employer was also helpful and supportive whenever I needed to step out of the office,” said Z.R..
Regular check-ups
She shared advice to women of all ages highlighting that “these fertility issues are more common than people think”.
“When to have a baby is a personal decision, but each woman should get regular check-ups and know her system and find out the risks of any complications she may have, especially if she plans to delay pregnancy to after the age of 30.”
Statistics revealed by Bourn Hall Fertility Centre suggest that 43 per cent of the couples who underwent IVF treatment in 2016 belonged to the age bracket of 18 to 34, which is a rise from 36 per cent recorded last year. According to the statistics, one in five women experiencing infertility issues face secondary infertility.