When did you start trying for #2

I know I should just wait for bubs #1 to be born to make a decision but DH and I have been discussing whether to start trying for #2 right away. DH thinks that we should (well as soon as we physically can anyway!) as it took us 18 months and an injectable ovulation induction cycle to get pregnant this time. We just cant bear the thought of having to go through the LT TTC heartache again!

For those who had treatment the first time did you find that it was necessary for subsequent pregnancies?? I have PCOS, Endo & a Pituatry Micro-adenoma but some ppl have told me that my probs may correct themselves after I give birth. As much as I'd like to think this is true I doubt that after having so much difficulty the first time that things will just happen on their own next time round.

Any advice?????

Hi Tina,

Good question!!!!!
My DS was born almost 9yrs ago now (to my first DH), and because we had such a problem having him (I was told when they discovered endo when I was 9yrs old that I would prob never have children) we had planned to start TTC no 2 after I got myself together from giving birth (!!!) - We were thinking when DS was about 3 months old.
I had an emergency ceasar and caught a major infection from this surgery... and then had multiple complications afterwards for up to about a year (the surgeon didn't sew me back up correctly, etc etc) and even now I still need surgery to fix my scar....
We realistically couldn't look at trying for the next one until my body was ok again - and then shortly after that I had a lap to find out both of my tubes had been damaged from the infection - almost irrepairable - and we would need IVF for any more children.
After going through all of this, my marriage fell apart shortly after, and I ended up getting a divorce.

SO! Now that you have my life story (and you are prob thinking why did she tell me all of this???!!!) - I wanted to say that I was told, too that my body might very well correct itself and TTC no 2 may not be a problem.... Don't think I would take that risk, though!!!

If it was me, I would start ttc as soon as I felt like my body had recovered from birth (especially if you have to have a ceasar because its just that little bit slower to heal!), but everyone is different and its good to know different opinions and reasons why!!!

I am probably a little more bias about it too, because my current DH & I have been TTC our first baby together for almost 6 yrs and just haven't been lucky enough yet.

My circumstances are the extreme, though (how many doctors do you know that sew people up the wrong way:rolleyes:), but before everything went wrong, ex DH and I were keen to try again as soon as we could.

Sorry for all of my (possibly unnecessary and self indulged) rambling, but thats my thinking!!!

Good Luck with TTC no 2 - I hope it happens without even needing to think about it;)

Love Holly
xxx

We are looking to ttc from October 2007. Some people say this is really quick but we want children close together and i dont want to be bare foot and pregnant for the next 10 years!.

My OB has suggested that we wait until DS has weaned before TTC #2, as we will be having a frozen embryo transfer. So we're not really certain of the exact timeframe. It will be ASAP, but at the same time, I won't be rushing DS into weaning for that reason alone.

Having said that, we're not using any contraception at the moment (except b/feeding), so I'm secretly hoping that we fall pg naturally in the meantime, even though I think it's extremely unlikely as we have his'n'hers fertility problems.

we will start trying when bubs is about 6months i suppose. But, i am not planning on taking the mini pill, or using any other form of contraceptive, so, technically, i guess it will be straight away - not that i will feel like it straight away.
It took as 14months to fall preg - but, i never got as far as seeing if it was due to any 'medical' type issues, or just timing.
We also want our kids close together.

You could do what Cherie is and not actively trying to prevent it from happening on it's own but choose a time when you think you would like to start because you have to be prepared for it to work first time too kwim? I can guarantee that if you try, thinking that it will take ages you will fall first go LOL. Then after a while if it doesn't work on its own you could do what you did before?

We are planning on doing the same as Cherie next time. We've had issues falling pregnant the first time & now this time, so we'll basically no try to prevent a pregnancy, then when bub #2 is weaned we'll go again.

Thanks Ladies

We have discussed not using any contraception which I think is our best option to start with. Sherie I hope your right and things will happen when we least expect it :D otherwise I suppose it will be back to the FS. We'll probably give it 6 months or so before starting any treatment. I didnt think about having to wean before fertility treatment so I guess that will be a deciding factor too.

Thanks again!!

Tina, my OB was saying that the reason they suggest weaning before IVF treatment is because b/feeding can prevent the embryos implanting into the uterus.

I'm not sure if it is the same for other forms of fertility treatment, and if that is the same reason why breastfeeding has a contraceptive effect, even in fully fertile women.

we have just started trying for no 2. it took us 14 months to concieve Archie, we got positive test 2 weeks before our fertility tests so we we don't know if we do have a fertility problem or not. We would have stared trying at 5 months, cause we really wanted them close in age and were worried about how long it would take, but due to DS having servere reflux we decided to wait til that settled down a bit first.

You will 'just know' when you are both ready to try again, goodluck with everything!

Cherie and I have the same FS and he told me the same thing so I have not actively prevented pg from the get go. DD has weanes herself as I have run out of milk so I have an appt to discuss FET on 18/7/7 DD will be 7 months!!

I'm kind of a mix between Holly and Cherie - after my first pregnancy I actually had some gynae problems which required surgery, we ended up falling prg in the midst of this anyway but sadly lost our angel. 12 months later, two surgeries, lots of heartache etc etc we ended up going down the IVF path and were very lucky on our first cycle.

While #3 isn't a definate for us yet (will be if I get my way!!) we have 10 frozen embryos and i just feel I have to at least try to give one or some of them a chance. BUT I am very keen to b/feed this baby too and don't really want to wean soley to do a FET. I am planning on going back to have a chat to my FS next year some time about our options.

I definately won't be trying to prevent a pregnancy after this birth, put it that way.

We waited until Oscar was 6 months then started trying for number 2. I was desperate for him not to be an only child (as i am and don't enjoy being) and also wanted them close together. Managed it when DS#1 was just under 10 months. We are TTC #3 at the mo although not properly as i don't have a cylcle yet as still bf DS#2 but certainly hoping soon. i guess if you are having to go the AC route then sooner is better than later.

All the best for your birth of #1 very soon and good luck for #2 in the future

Julie x

hi teepee2,

i just came across this thread and thought i would reply to you. i also have pcos and have high prolactin which i had to take medication for (along with clomid to conceive our DD who is now 18 months) i unfortunately devoloped a pituitary tumour in my pregnancy at 27 weeks but it is gone for now. i breastfed my DD for 15 months and did not get a period in that whole time, it was probably due to the pcos rather than the breastfeeding or combination of both. i then started clomid again just after i weaned without success (2 cycles) so i again took medication to lower my prolactin and fell pregnant on the 3rd cycle, i am now 8 weeks pregnant with number 2. i have heard though you have a higher chance of falling pregnant within 6 months of giving birth however its probably not the case for those of us with pcos and irregular periods anyway. i guess you have to decide do you want to wean number 1 just so you can start trying on number 2 as most specialists won't allow you to take medication to ttc while still breastfeeding

Melbell,

Yes, you do have an increased chance of getting preg while b/f'ding if you have PCOS, because b/f'ding makes your body more sensitive to insulin (like taking Metformin). But if you also have high prolactin, then I doubt that that would be the case for you - since b/f'ding would just increase your already high levels. I suppose it is different for everyone, depending on what their probs are. But certainly, if the issue is elevated insulin levels, than b/f'ding helps reduce them.

We started trying as soon as AF returned (at 7 months as I was bfing). It took 3 cycles (they were irregular) to conceive 2nd time, and it took 9 cycles (regular) first time around. We had no specific fertility problems, but it was definitely quicker second time for us. Now we have a 19 month gap (Jack was 11 months when Tom was conceived but Tom was a month early!). We wanted between 18 months and 2 years so we were very lucky.

I have found that up until about the first birthday, I was hoping not to be pregnant yet, and then as soon as baby was 1, I couldn't wait to be pregnant again. :) But, that's just me.
It took us quite a while to conceive our babies. (15 months of trying for DD1, 19 months with no birth control until DD2, and 14 months with no birth control for this baby.) The wait was really stressful when TTC DD1. Now I am thankful for that, I think, because we don't worry about birth control - it just seems like God sends us the next one when we are ready!

I didn't have long long term ttc.. but did have issues with PCOS and needed medication to get my cycle back.

My AF returned 3 months after DS was born, but we had already decided to wait until he was 1 to TTC again, coz we didn't want a pregnancy interfering with the first year of breastfeeding. Even tho I've continued breastfeeding through this pregnancy.. I doubt the milk supply would be sufficient for the pre-12 months need for milk iykwim.

This was actually the ONLY time I've ever had regular cycles - so we were fortunate that way - the pg & breastfeeding must have fixed up my screwy hormones! We actually started TTCing when DS was 11 months.. our attempt at trying to accomodate a family wedding at the end of the year LOL. But it wasn't to happen (now my due date is the actual day of the wedding!) So we fell 2nd cycle this time.. made a nice change from the problems before.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

Hi ladies. Thanks for your responses.

Well DH and I arent using any contraception and are going to take things as they come. I'm no longer breastfeeding as DD has a lactose intolerance and I got my first visit from AF last week. I suppose theres no way of knowing whats happening with my PCOS and Endo or when my next period will be but if its meant to be then it will happen on its own. If I do get pregnant in the next couple of months we'll be shocked but not disappointed! Otherwise we'll be off to see the FS early next year.

Wishing you all the very best. Take care xx

He Teepee2,
Just noticed our babies were born on the same day:)
I have heard that your best chances to fall pregnant on your own are just after giving birth. The longer you wait the harder it will be. Don't know how true that is.
We tried for #2 straight away, we wanted our close together. But we were also told that it might take awhile as I was exclusively B/F. But we fell pregnant 1st go.
Good luck, with things.

We tried for 29 months and finally got our BFP last weekend.

Congratulations Jarrah thats fabulous news!! It took us 18 months & fertility treatment to conceive our daughter and that was heartbreaking enough - You must be ecstatic after trying for so long. Did you conceive naturally???

Wishing you all the very best for a happy & healthy pregnancy :happyforyou:

We started TTC #2 in april this year (DS was 14months). I was on the pill prior to this, and now i wonder why i did. :doh: I now wish that we had of started much earlier because the age gap is getting bigger and bigger the longer it takes me to get pg!!! Oh well cant turn back the clock now. But once we have the next one (whenever that may be) we wont be using any contraception after that ones born. Whatever happens happens.

We started when Trent was 4 months old.

I had a laparoscopy when he was 3 months and advised to get moving as soon as we were ready, as he had taken just under 3 years to conceive - I have PCOS and Endo, so the thought was that since I had finally achieved a full term pregnancy, that my body would be in a better position for it to happen again soon (as you can see by my sig, it's not the case :( ).

Good luck! I understand why you are already planning ahead :)

Hi, I don't have a ttc prob, (though I have had a mc before both my pgs) so not sure if this is relevant, but we waited til dd was a year old before we started trying again.
I'm 28 weeks now, and Bethany is 2, and I think I've timed it right for us.
I have 2 friends who's first was only 18 months or so by the time they had their second and I think they probably find it a lot harder just because their first is still so dependant.
I guess I would start trying from the time I actually wanted to fall pregnant, if that makes sense, just in case the stars are in allignment and it all works (these things happen too)

Hi Lisa & littlelara!

DH and I have decided to let things take their natural course so we're not doing anything to prevent pregnancy at the moment. We would love for things to happen naturally but if it doesnt then we'll go back to our FS early next year and take it from there.

Lisa I hope things work out for you soon. I know that alot of people assume that once you have had children the pain of subsequent long term TTC doesnt affect you as much but of course that isnt the case. I understand the heartache you must be going through & send my love to your 4 little angels who are surely looking down on you. I wish you all the best in your TTC journey :hug:

Littlelara congratulations on your pregnancy!! I know what your saying about the first being so dependant but I also think it would be easier to have your second while you're still used to living on very little sleep :D All the best for the rest of your pregnancy. I'm sure Bethany will be a great "little mum" to her new brother or sister!

Morning all, we don't TTC issues but we waited until our DS was almost 12 months. We staretd "not being careful" when he was 11 months as I thought it might take a bit longer this time around but no we were pregnant in the first month! DS will be 20 months when his baby sister arrives - I'll be very busy but they'll be great little friends for each other when our Princess is a bit older.

Hey

It took us 3yrs ttc our dd, i have pcos and mild endo and the day we left the hospital after dd was born the doctor had written a script for the pill, i was shocked and suprised as i had never said anything about wanting contraception, but anyway i never went on it. so you can say we started ttc straight after dd was born and that was nearly 6 yrs ago:cry:. we never wanted to go on the pill or anything cos we went through so much to get dd so we thought if we fall pregnant straight away then thats a blessing but as you can tell we are still ttc#2:cry: and its frusturating as i always wanted my kids to be close aged and alot of the people that dont know about my infertility are always saying " when are you going to have #2, dont leave to much of a gap" its not like i have a choice, i have been trying :cry: i would love to give dd a little bro/sis, dd will be 6 soon god time fly's

ok sorry i will stop talking now:p

It was suggested to me after TTC for 6 months to have ovulation tracking done. It means having blood tests every day and you and DH being prepared to drop everything when you get the phonecall saying now is the right time. One of the women at work who id it had endo and fell pregnant with her DD this way. The other was in her 40s and also has 2 DDs from using ovulation tracking.

Start trying hun. You know how it was with your first. It will also be nice to have them close. Good luck hun. Oh by the way look at my ticker...hehehehe. Talk on msn

alittlegrubi I had to have treatment for my first pregnancy which initially included ovulation induction & tracking so I know exactly what your friends went through - its great that it worked out for them. Thankfully for us after a 2 year wait we now have our gorgeous little girl!! All the best for the remainder of your pregnancy :hug:

OMG Missy!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS to you & Matt xx

I knew it would happen for you hun - I'm so excited I have goose bumps!! I cant believe i missed it. See you on MSN soon xxxx

Thanks so much Tina. Awwww look at Mikayla. She is growing so fast. How beautiful is she. Give her kisses to her for me please. Thanks for the congrat.

Hi there-
Its taken 3 1/2 years of TTC for me to fall pregnant- PCOS and endo- unsucessful with IVF, IUI and clomid. Lost some weight and fell pregnant naturally.
Am currently 20 weeks pregnant with our first. After this bub is born we wont be doing anything to stop falling pregnant- but the plan is to breast feed for 6 months and then start the diet that took the weight off before this one again- and hope it works!

Hi Neekyv. Congrats on falling pregnant naturally. I too have PCOS & endo and we thought it would never happen for us. But after some treatment we now have our gorgeous little girl!! We havent been using any contraception since Mikayla was born and I only breast fed her for 3 weeks - almost 6 months and still nothing so we'll be off to see our FS early in the new year to get things started again. Was it a regular diet you were on or something radical???

I started trying when DS was 6 months i stopped Bfeeding then to get my cycle back... well 6 months later i am pregnant.. If i wanted till DS was 1 i would be trying longer