April 24-30 is National Infertility Awareness Week
From RESOLVE.org's website -- Myth: If you already have one child, you know you are fertile and will have no problems conceiving again.
Yeah - I'm living proof that's a load of crap. I'm one of the "lucky" ones -- with primary infertility and then secondary infertility. It took us 3 years and 3 miscarriages to get our first living child (angel that she is), and we've been "officially" trying for a year to have our second child, with only one chemical pregnancy to show for it.
Infertility is isolating. Infertility is depressing. Infertility is stigmatizing. And Infertility can be life-consuming. Every day I have to remind myself to focus on the fact that I have beaten infertility once -- I can carry my child through the grocery store or the library, kiss her goodnight, and get to watch her grow up. But in my heart, I still am the bitter infertile, happy for others who get pregnant but sad for me.
Please use this week to bust myths and support the 1 in 8 couples who are struggling with infertility. Visit the RESOLVE.org website to learn more about myths of infertility and the truth about those myths.
From RESOLVE.org's website -- Busted!: Infertility does not discriminate and can strike anyone at anytime throughout the childbearing years. Secondary infertility — the inability to get pregnant naturally or carry a pregnancy to term after successfully conceiving one or more children — is very common.
Approximately 12 percent of women in the United States have secondary infertility, and it accounts for more than half of all infertility cases. Unlike those experiencing difficulty having their first child, people who are affected by secondary infertility are much less likely to seek infertility treatments. Many in this situation are told that they have nothing to worry about, to just keep trying. This can lead to much frustration and loss of precious time.
A number of things can cause secondary infertility including age, damage or blockage to the fallopian tubes, ovulation problems, endometriosis, and problems with sperm production. The testing and diagnosis process is the same as for primary infertility.
Don’t wait to see a fertility doctor (reproductive endocrinologist). If you are having difficulty getting pregnant, the rule of thumb on when to see a fertility specialist is if: You are under 35 and aren’t pregnant within a year of actively trying, or You are over 35 and haven’t conceived within six months of trying.
If you have experienced two or more miscarriages, have a history of sexually transmitted infections, have irregular periods or have especially painful periods, you should make that appointment even sooner.
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