Secondary Infertility
Question
We have been trying for 1 year and 3 months for our second child. We already have a 3 1/2 year old daughter. We had no problem getting pregnant with her. This time around is a little different.
I have had several tests done including my last which was a laparoscopy. They found no endo. or scar tissue. My periods have always been regular and I have always ovulated accordingly. I’m really starting to get frustrated. My husband’s count is also terrific. My doctor said that my “lining” was behind by 3 days. What does that mean? I’m beginning to think there is no hope for us……
Answer
Last Updated: July 24, 2013
Please don’t think that there is no hope. Yes, this situation can be extremely frustrating. From the information you give, it is puzzling and I would wonder a couple of things.
First, has anything in your health changed and have you taken medications, over the counter or otherwise, since the last child? These things can have some long range effects. Run any medications by your doctor.
While your cycles are regular, I wonder how “well” you are ovulating. Your doctor said that your lining was thin. This could be a couple of things. First, the follicle (the little structure in the ovary that develops around the egg) is not reaching the proper size. The follicle produces estrogen which in turn thickens the lining of the uterus. So while you might be ovulating regularly, there may be an inadequate sized follicle which is producing subnormal estrogen levels.
Also, the dates of the ovulation might have been off. Next to 3-D ultrasound, accurate charting of the cycles by tracking the cervical mucus is the most accurate way of timing ovulation. This has been studied at Pope Paul VI Institute where the Ob/Gyn does all infertility. CANFP can help you locate a certified teacher to teach you how to make accurate observations and chart them accordingly.
Other tests that I would be interested in would be estradiol (estrogen) in the before ovulation phase and progesterone in the post-ovulation phase. These levels are drawn (by blood) over several days to determine if the rise and fall of the levels, the overall amounts of the levels, and the length of time they are in your blood stream are all vitally important. Unfortunately, most of the time, physicians draw one level based on the first day of the last menstrual period which is not going to give you an accurate picture of how you are functioning throughout the cycle.
I hope that this helps you. Please be assured that there is always hope!
Sincerely,
Gretchen V. Marsh, D.O.
First, has anything in your health changed and have you taken medications, over the counter or otherwise, since the last child? These things can have some long range effects. Run any medications by your doctor.
While your cycles are regular, I wonder how “well” you are ovulating. Your doctor said that your lining was thin. This could be a couple of things. First, the follicle (the little structure in the ovary that develops around the egg) is not reaching the proper size. The follicle produces estrogen which in turn thickens the lining of the uterus. So while you might be ovulating regularly, there may be an inadequate sized follicle which is producing subnormal estrogen levels.
Also, the dates of the ovulation might have been off. Next to 3-D ultrasound, accurate charting of the cycles by tracking the cervical mucus is the most accurate way of timing ovulation. This has been studied at Pope Paul VI Institute where the Ob/Gyn does all infertility. CANFP can help you locate a certified teacher to teach you how to make accurate observations and chart them accordingly.
Other tests that I would be interested in would be estradiol (estrogen) in the before ovulation phase and progesterone in the post-ovulation phase. These levels are drawn (by blood) over several days to determine if the rise and fall of the levels, the overall amounts of the levels, and the length of time they are in your blood stream are all vitally important. Unfortunately, most of the time, physicians draw one level based on the first day of the last menstrual period which is not going to give you an accurate picture of how you are functioning throughout the cycle.
I hope that this helps you. Please be assured that there is always hope!
Sincerely,
Gretchen V. Marsh, D.O.
Answered By:
Gretchen Marsh, D.O.
Dr. Marsh graduated from Western University of Health Sciences in 1987 in Pomona, CA and is board certified in Family Medicine by the American Osteopathic Board of Family Physicians. She has been certified as a NaProTechnology® Medical Consultant (NaPro) and Creighton model Fertility Care System (CrMS) teacher since 2001. She and her husband, Jon, have 5 sons and live in the Reno region, where she sees patients in person, in addition to her telehealth services offered via MyCatholicDoctor.com
