You have a child. Surely it will be easy to get pregnant again or so you think. Sometimes, conceiving the second time around may not be as simple as the first time.
There are a myriad of reasons why trying for another kid can be challenging—from age, lifestyle, to existing medical conditions. But thinking of all this can be overwhelming for moms out there who simply want to give their child a sibling. If you’re one of those women who are trying to get pregnant again, you can get the help you need from reputable medical institutions like Gleneagles Hospital. At Gleneagles, they guide the mother and father on this special journey.
How ready are you?
Most of the time, the couple’s desire to conceive once more stems from wanting their only child to have a brother or sister. This decision may also come when they are financially ready to welcome an addition to their family.
However, experts say that aside from those factors, it is critical to take into account your health as well. Before even beginning to try for another child, mothers should ask themselves these questions: “Am I emotionally and mentally prepared to go through the possible challenges of pregnancy? Is my body ready to carry a baby again?”
Dr. Lisa Chin, Consultant, Obstetrician, and Gynaecologist at Gleneagles Hospital, highlights the importance of taking care of your health if you want to conceive again. “It would be good to know that you’re in good shape,” she explains. “Go for a basic checkup and check your vaccinations. It would be a good time to sort out your vaccinations so you won’t have to worry about getting measles or chickenpox while you’re carrying a baby.”
If you have high blood pressure, diabetes, a thyroid problem, or other medical conditions, you would also want to manage these before you try for baby number two. It is best to consult with medical experts when dealing with health concerns like this. Gleneagles is home to doctors specializing in Cardiology, Endocrinology, and Nephrology, among others, who can coordinate with your Gynaecologist.
Is age a factor?
Often, having a second child also comes at a later age. Dr. Chin explains that if you’re over 35 years old, you naturally have decreased fertility. However, she also tells ladies of this age and beyond not to fret. “You may not be as fertile as you were in your twenties, but you can still get pregnant,” she says. The doctor also encourages them to be more aware of their menstrual cycle and their health condition.
Most couples also wonder how soon they should see a doctor if they can’t get pregnant right away. “If you’re a bit older and you’ve been trying to have a child for six months and nothing’s happening, then you can come in for a consultation. Younger couples in their twenties, on the other hand, can wait until nine months before seeing a doctor,” says Dr. Chin. It’s also important to note that the concern is not just the mother’s. Men should also have the quality of their sperm checked as this is a big factor in conception.
While going to the hospital may not be everyone’s cup of tea, you can rest assured that you’ll be in good hands when you visit Gleneagles Hospital. Accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI), this medical facility is recognized for its commitment to patient and staff safety. You can be sure you’ll only get the highest possible standard of care and support.
Trying to get pregnant after a miscarriage
It’s all the more crucial to be in the best state of health if you’re planning to have a baby after suffering through baby loss. Do remember that it’s just as important to accept and grieve and make sure your partner has also accepted the miscarriage.
“Talk about your own experience and come to terms with the baby loss first,” encourages Dr. Chin. Many women would feel a lot of guilt after losing a baby and would often replay scenarios in their heads of how they could’ve possibly saved their child. That’s why it’s necessary to mourn and process their feelings before going through another pregnancy.
Aside from coming to terms with the miscarriage, it’s also critical to know the reason for the baby loss—whether it’s a natural miscarriage or due to pre-existing medical conditions like thyroid problems or autoimmune disease. This can help you be more prepared for your next pregnancy. It would be best to address these health concerns before trying for another baby.
Dr. Anthony Siow, another Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Gleneagles Hospital Singapore explains the reasons for stillbirth. “In most cases or 40% of the time, there is no known reason even after a postmortem examination,” he says. “In a small percentage or 25% of stillbirths, uncontrolled maternal diabetes, severe infection and placenta bleeding may be the reason. Infrequently, the stillbirth is a result of abnormal development of the baby or umbilical cord accident or entanglement.”
He also shared a helpful tip in checking the baby’s well-being. “There is, unfortunately, no medical tests or scans, currently available to predict a stillbirth. Even regular antenatal checks can fail to prevent fetal loss. Probably, the best ‘tool’ to check on your baby’s well-being is the feeling of your baby’s movement. Most mothers begin to feel slight baby movement from the 20th week of pregnancy. As the pregnancy progresses, the movement becomes more intense and should occur more than 10 times a day. If there is a drastic reduction in fetal movement, you should contact your doctor as soon as possible,” says Dr. Siow.
Gleneagles has specialists who can look into your medical issues and work with your Gynaecologist. Talking to your doctor about this can help you become more informed with your decisions and be more proactive in taking care of your health.
Although miscarriages are quite common, both Dr. Chin and Dr. Siow encourage women who have experienced consecutive baby losses to see a doctor since they may need a more thorough checkup. “You may need to look into your chromosomes because you or your partner may be carrying a balanced translocation, which may cause miscarriages,” says Dr. Chin.
Finally, you’re pregnant
When everything has been sorted out and you finally get a positive pregnancy test, Gleneagles will continue to hand-hold you throughout the process. Expectant moms would be happy to know that this medical facility offers ParentCraft Services. Aside from visits to your Gynaecologist, you can also attend these antenatal classes to help you become reacquainted with things you need to expect as you go through your second pregnancy. The approachable ParentCraft team can help you prepare for anything you need to know about childbirth, postnatal care, and taking care of a newborn.
This baby-friendly hospital will take care of you. Its dedicated staff and doctors will guide you every step of the way, from trying to have a baby and hopefully conceiving successfully to adjusting to a new life with the latest addition to your family.
Check out Gleneagles here for more information.