Was it true for you that #2 was easier to conceive than #1?

[CrystalBoo]

Obviously, this post is for anyone who is at least on their second pregnancy. Hopefully it's in the right place, and not upsetting anyone...

I'm interested to hear if anyone who was LTTC with their first baby, then found it much faster with the second or subsequent conceptions? Especially if endo or cysts were involved and laparoscopies were needed (not so much assisted conception).

DD took two years during which time I was diagnosed with endo and had cysts removed. Now we are TTC again, and a scan shows there are some cysts again. I don't want to go the operation route if I don't have to, but at 36 I feel I can't leave it too long trying naturally.

How many months would you/did you wait before getting help again?

[Sue1979]

Hey,
I'm not in this position at all but I know that I will be at some point. I'd go and see your specialist now.
There are lots of women who have lots of trouble TTC #1 and then you hear about them falling pregnant naturally with #2 but there are no guarantees that this will happen.

I hope that you get the answers you're looking for soon,
Sue x

[saph204]

crystal - for us #2 was much harder to concieve than #1. DS was natural conception on the first month. #2 took seven cycles for us to concieve and about to move on to IVF. I am only 30 and after no cycle returned after DS I went straight to AC. With your age I would be seeing a specialist asap. Sorry couldn't bring you happy news.

[Lenny]

I don't think there are any rules about number 2 being easier or harder than number 1 to be honest. Some people with number 1 have no trouble at all and then struggle for years for a second. And then vice versa applies too, of course.

I wouldn't nesessarily think that AC would be your next step, but maybe some monitoring etc might give you some more of a helping hand.

It can't hurt to make an appointment to see someone, and just get some advice or some more information.

Good Luck

[JellyBean]

A good friend of mine took 1.5 years to conceive her first, then 2 months to conceive her second - both naturally. I think it may also have something to do with the extensive time she & her hubby spent preparing their bodies for the first conception (detoxing etc) and then avoiding alcohol etc whilst pregnant and breastfeeding. So her body was more 'pure' in a sense, second time around. Of course there are no hard and fast rules.

I definitely agree that you should have the cysts etc removed first as this may also cause additional pain during pregnancy and labour should conception occcur.
I think what will increase your chances of conception (natural or assisted) above anything else is to eliminate as many accumulated toxins (pesticides, chemicals and heavy metals etc) from yours and DH's body prior to TTC. Eating an alkaline diet, organic (where possible), avoiding food additives, using only natural personal care products (ie MiEssence) and taking a chelating supplement to remove heavy metals and pesticides (ie Zeolite - Natural Cellular Defense) will make your bodies more hospitable environments to foster conception. There are also some very powerful herbal remedies which can assist in the elimination of toxins, but you would both need to consult with a registered Naturopath who specialises in NFM (Natural Fertility Management) for that.

Best of luck XX

[[M]umma[M]ia]

what an interesting thread! ive been wondering the same thing...

[CrystalBoo]

Thanks everyone. I'm still tossing up how long to wait. An operation would be a major upheaval for DD as she is still too young to understand mum not being there and she can be quite a stresser when her routine is out

Jellybean - it's true that I probably was more health conscious TTC DD because she was our first. I did take a herbal formula made up for me by a fertility naturopath and I can never be sure whether it was that, or the op, or a combination that helped with DD. I know for a fact the herbs regulated my cycle a lot. Thanks for the info, I will look into it.

I agree Lenny, that there probably isn't any rules but you do hear stories about the first pregnancy making other pregnancies easier so thought I'd ask. I've started charting again, and I think my first step will be back to the naturopath if I don't get a positive this month.

Sue and Saph, thanks for your replies. I have seen my OB and he recommends the op ASAP due to me "getting on a bit" () but a part of me is in denial that I need it - I prefer natural methods.

Thanks again, I think I have a course of action in my head now! Cheers!

[CrystalBoo]

Just an update in case anyone is in the same position and wondering...

I didn't need the second op - in fact, I had probably conceived around the same time as I originally posted, so it was definitely a case of easier and faster the second time round.

I'm glad I held off on the operation, that's for sure.

[~Sally~]

Brendan took a little over 18 months, I then fell pregnant when he was about 5 months (by accident) After having a m/c we waited by choice, Tristan was conceived on my 3rd cycle after coming off the pill... we'd planned for 5-6 months for my cycle to get back to "normal" LOL....

All the best

[Lenny]

Congratulations Crystal and thanks for the update!