Do you know about secondary infertility?
Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or have a full-term pregnancy after having had children without difficulty.
If you are struggling to conceive, with little ones at home, know that you are not alone and there are thing you can do to improve your chances of conceiving again!
Secondary infertility isn’t discussed enough so it blindsides many women who expect conception to come easily after having prior successful pregnancies. Here are some reasons why you might be having difficulty and some solutions to help you conceive another child.
SECONDARY INFERTILITY HAS MANY CAUSES:
Hormone Disregulation- pregnancy and postpartum do a number on your hormonal system. Often our bodies not only need time but also some additional support to recalibrate. Acupuncture, acupressure, herbs, diet and lifestyle can all help you restore hormone balance after baby.
Energy Depletion- if you are chasing around another child, breast feeding, and not getting enough sleep, it is very easy to become depleted. The heightened energy demands on moms can cause hormone disregulation and signal to our bodies that we are in survival mode. In a constant state of survival mode our bodies completely take reproduction off the table. Rest, a healthy nutrient dense diet and restorative practices can go a long way in restoring depletion.
Inflammation or obstruction in the pelvis - yes birth is beautiful, but it can also be traumatic. It can result in inflammation or obstructions in the pelvis. Acupuncture can help relieve inflammation while we recommend seeing your OBGYN to determine if a blockage could be interfering with your ability to conceive again.
GET SUPPORT FOR SECONDARY INFERTILITY
Secondary infertility can be a very isolating experience.
Often, women experiencing secondary infertility seem to be in a league of their own- they don’t feel like they fit in with women are are trying to get pregnant for the first time because they have kids, but they don’t feel like their mom friends who are having their second and third kids can relate either.
If you are feeling alone in your struggle to conceive your second or third child, please reach out! We’d love to support you!
For a step-by-step guide to regulating your hormones, getting your cycle back, restoring depletion, and preparing your body for another pregnancy, check out our self-guided online program CONCEIVING ZEN.