From a recent contact at www.OurHopePlace.com,
I delivered a healthy daughter the first time I was pregnant. But I suffered five miscarriages before I had my second child five years later. I was diagnosed with a translocation (two chromosomes with switched parts, frequently leading to early miscarriage) and underwent IVF in attempt to pick healthy embryos — it didn’t work (I had a miscarriage anyway). Eventually I was able to become and stay pregnant naturally.
I think that when you’re suffering from secondary infertility people can be even more cruel, mostly out of ignorance. People assume that if you have an only child that it’s just by choice, especially if you’re young. They’re always peppering you with questions about when you’re going to have another. I was also around so many shallow women who would say things, such as, “I only want a girl.” But perhaps most upsetting were the inconsiderate things people who knew my situation said, including doctors (“You should just be glad you have a child already”), insinuating that wanting two children was greedy or that you obviously didn’t appreciate your first child.
Good luck to those who are trying. Try to find at least one sympathetic ear that you can vent to (not a spouse) – it does feel better to talk to someone who understands.
-Jennifer
October 4, 2008 at 9:59 am
I am so glad to hear that you were successful in having a second child. I just had my 5th miscarriage last week (all naturally conceived). I’m 42 going on 43; so most of my docs think I just have old eggs. I’m paying out of pocket to have more testing for immunological problems. I need to rule this out before I try again. I am terrified now. Even after 4 losses, I felt hope. Now, I just don’t know if my child will have a sibling. I feel paralyzed by fear and have started crying all of the time. People keep telling me not to give up, but how can I keep going when my hope has left. My heart is just sad. Thank you for your post. It’s good to know that someone else “spontaneously” overcame multiple losses and was successful. And yes, I know what you are describing about some people being totally insensitive; even other women who have had losses are sometimes not supportive. I thank God for those people who have been there for me emotionally.