secondary infertility

By definition, a woman is said to have primary infertility if she has never been pregnant, and secondary infertility if she has ever been pregnant. This includes women whose pregnancy has not led to the birth of a live child. Sometimes the secondary infertility is experienced with a new partner.

A man is said to have primary infertility if he has never achieved a pregnancy, and secondary infertility if he has previously achieved a pregnancy with his present partner or a former partner. Secondary infertility occurs reasonably often.

There is a great difference, however, between individuals who have previously had a child or children and who are now unable to achieve a pregnancy, and those who are fighting infertility because they are still childless.

The fact that you are a parent, however, does not mean that reduced fertility is less painful for you than for other couples. The desire for another child can be all pervasive, and if the earlier pregnancy(ies) occurred spontaneously, confusion and frustration about the cause can be immense. Couples who have to deal with secondary infertility have the same feelings of guilt, denial, anger, depression and frustration. And on top of this, they have the added stress of worrying about how their actions and emotions are affecting the child or children that they already have.

Just like a childless couple, parent couples who suffer secondary infertility can develop strategies that help get through this crisis. It can sometimes be a comfort to talk about this situation and its emotional consequences with others who are going through the same experiences. Whatever way you and your partner choose to deal with your situation, it is important to prevent your fertility problems from completely dominating your life and that of your family.

If you need more support or professional help, it is important to recognise and arrange this. Your clinic may be able to provide help in this regard. There are often counsellors or psychologists who you can turn to.