Myleene Klass has been in the media this week talking about her 18-month struggle to conceive a second child.
The TV presenter, who recently announced her pregnancy, says it was extremely difficult to get pregnant a second time, and was considering IVF after months of no success. But on the advice of her doctor, decided to continue trying for a few more months, eventually resulting in pregnancy without the need for infertility treatment.
Sometimes, as in the case of Myleene, it can take a lot longer to get pregnant a second time. Many women assume that because they got pregnant easily the first time, having another baby will be just as simple. But this isn’t always the case.
Secondary infertility – the inability to have a second or third child despite a successful pregnancy before – is fairly common. The good news is that if you’re struggling to get pregnant again, this doesn’t necessarily mean you need infertility treatment. Remember that an infertility diagnosis is only considered if you’ve been having regular, unprotected intercourse for up to two years without getting pregnant.
So usually it’s just taking longer than before to get pregnant. However, it’s important to consider that your age could also be a factor. Your infertility starts to decline from age 30 onwards, and even more so from age 35. So if you’ve waited a few years before trying to add to your family, your age could make it harder to conceive this time.
If you think you need help to get pregnant, don’t hesitate to see your GP. You could also consider a Fertility MOT test, which we offer at Manchester Fertility.
It’s a comprehensive fertility check up, for both you and your partner, designed to identify any underlying issues which may be stopping you getting pregnant. There’s no need to get a referral from your GP for a Fertility MOT, you can self-refer. For more details, click here.
Last updated: 20th January 2020
