Beyond Morning Sickness: 5 Lesser-Known Pregnancy Symptoms
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Why Getting Pregnant Can Be More Challenging the Second Time
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy – and some couples need help. Even if you conceived easily before, the next time can be unexpectedly difficult.
Secondary infertility refers to difficulties in becoming pregnant after already having a child. If you’re facing challenges, know that the Collaborative Women’s Care team is here to support and guide you through this experience.
Dr. Eduardo Valdes is our experienced OB/GYN providing infertility treatments and prenatal exams for women in the Miami, Florida, community.
Reasons you’re struggling to get pregnant
Struggling to conceive can be frustrating and affects more people than you realize. Conceiving once doesn’t guarantee future pregnancies will be easy.
There are many reasons that you could be struggling to conceive with your second child, and they include:
Older age
Age affects women and men when it comes to fertility. Women over the age of 35 experience a decrease in egg quality, while men often have a lower sperm count.
Reproductive health changes
Women who have fibroids, endometriosis, or PCOS may have worsening of the conditions after the first pregnancy. This can make implantation more difficult due to scarring.
Medical issues
Sometimes, new medical issues arise after having a child, like PCOS or thyroid problems. These may add unexpected challenges when trying to conceive again, and it’s normal to need extra support.
Lifestyle factors
Smoking, drinking alcohol, or being overweight all affect a man's and a woman’s fertility. If you change any lifestyle factors, it could affect your chances of getting pregnant the second time around.
Understanding secondary infertility
Secondary infertility happens when getting pregnant again is difficult after having had a child. This can occur with a second, third, or fourth pregnancy attempt.
For many couples, experiencing secondary infertility can be deeply frustrating, especially if getting pregnant before was easy. It’s perfectly normal to feel emotionally drained or even for your relationship to feel strained as you wait and hope.
If it were easy to get pregnant the first time, you may think you won’t have any issues; however, secondary infertility can happen for many reasons. It’s not just a female problem either – men can contribute to secondary infertility due to a lower sperm count or lifestyle factors.
What can I do to get pregnant now?
If you’re hoping to expand your family, consider coming in for an evaluation when you're ready. Whether you’ve been trying for a few months or longer, seeking support is always a positive step, and we’re here to help.
At your evaluation, Dr. Valdes discusses your pregnancy history, how long you’ve been trying, and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. He discusses your lifestyle, including drug and alcohol use and smoking, which all play a role in infertility.
If a clear reason isn’t found for the difficulty conceiving, Dr. Valdes may order bloodwork to check hormone levels or suggest a semen evaluation. He may also recommend a transvaginal ultrasound as a gentle step to better understand your unique situation.
Based on these findings, Dr. Valdes offers various treatment options, including IUI, IVF, and medications, to help you ovulate. He also helps you with timed intercourse to give you optimal chances to conceive.
To schedule an infertility appointment, call our Miami, Florida, office or use our online booking tool for a convenient, immediate consultation.
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