Many couples hope to have more than one child. However in reality, trying for a second baby is not always as easy as conceiving the firstborn. This difficulty in conceiving can be influenced by many factors, ranging from age to unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Why Is It Hard to Have a Second Child?

Difficulty conceiving a second child is known as secondary infertility. You are considered to have secondary infertility if your first child was conceived naturally, without any medications, assisted reproductive treatments, or IVF.

Secondary infertility is usually diagnosed when you and your partner have been having regular unprotected sex for 6-12 months without conceiving. It can also refer to situations where a woman becomes pregnant but experiences a miscarriage or is unable to maintain the pregnancy.

Secondary infertility is quite common and can affect both men and women. For women, previous pregnancy and childbirth can cause changes in the body that may influence future fertility in their body. This in turn will reduce the chances of conceiving again.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, some causes of secondary infertility include:

Declining egg quality

As women get older, both the quality and number of eggs naturally decrease. In women under about 35-40 years old, certain conditions such as autoimmune disorders or genetic factors can also affect egg quality.

Sperm medical issues

According to the Mayo Clinic, issues with sperm, such as a lower sperm count or reduced sperm motility, can also lead to secondary infertility. These problems may be related to age, a drop in testosterone levels due to injury or medications, or other conditions affecting the male reproductive system.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. This tissue can develop around the pelvis or other organs. The resulting scar tissue can interfere with the meeting of the egg and sperm, which reduces the chances of conceiving a child and pregnancy.

Uterine problems

Certain conditions affecting the uterus, such as uterine fibroids (noncancerous growths of the uterine muscle) and adenomyosis (when the uterine lining grows into the uterine muscle wall), can cause bleeding, pain, and fertility problems.

Less intercourse frequency

How often you have intercourse plays an important role in increasing the chances of pregnancy. As time goes by and responsibilities grow, both of your with your significant other may experience a drop in sexual desire and intercourse frequency, where you have sex less often. If you are trying for another baby, it is important to talk with your partner about increasing intercourse during your fertile window.

Lifestyle factors

Age, weight gain, use of certain medications, smoking, and drinking alcohol can all affect fertility and make it harder to conceive a second child.

How to Improve Your Chances of Having a Second Child

To find out the causes of secondary infertility, you will need further evaluation by an obstetrician–gynaecologist. If a medical condition is identified as the cause, that problem should be treated first before you continue to have a specialized pregnancy program tailored for you.

If lifestyle is the main factor of secondary infertility, several changes can help improve your chances of conceiving, such as adopting healthier habits, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and managing stress effectively.

Secondary infertility, or difficulty conceiving a second child, is a fertility issue experienced by many couples. It can be related to age, underlying health conditions in one or both partners, and a range of other factors. If you are planning to have another baby, it is best to discuss your situation with an obstetrician–gynaecologist so you can receive appropriate guidance and treatment.

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