You went through the emotional rollercoaster of in vitro fertilization once before, and after all the stress and waiting, it worked. Now you’re ready to grow your family again, but IVF for a second baby isn’t working.
Fertility can change, and what worked for you the first time may not work the second, but understanding why and what your next steps are can give you hope.
In this article, we’ll explore why treatment may not be working and provide alternative paths like surrogacy.
If you’re feeling stuck, know that you have options — and we’re here to help you explore them. Contact us today for more information.
Why is Achieving a second IVF pregnancy So Hard?
Failing to achieve a second IVF pregnancy can be frustrating when growing your family. You might not be sure why it’s so hard after you experienced success the first time.
While every situation is different, several common factors can make getting pregnant after IVF success harder:
- Age-related fertility decline: As you age, egg quality and quantity naturally decrease, leading to a higher chance of miscarriage and lower chances of embryo implantation.
- Uterine changes from previous pregnancy: Sometimes, changes in the uterine lining after carrying a pregnancy can make implantation more difficult, especially if there is scarring or other complications.
- Diminished ovarian reserve: With fewer eggs available for retrieval, you might not have as many viable embryos to work with compared to your first IVF cycle.
- Unexplained infertility: Sometimes, no clear medical reason is found for why IVF isn’t working.
What Are the Chances of a Second IVF Success?
After a live birth from IVF, your chances of a second IVF success after an IVF baby are generally high, ranging from 51% to 88% after six cycles.
Many factors can change between pregnancies, making the process more challenging the second time around. For example, as you get older, the health of your uterus and your hormone levels can decline, which can impact IVF outcomes.
Additionally, the stress and anxiety can impact both your mental and physical well-being, so it’s important to take care of yourself throughout this process.
See how the success rates of surrogacy compare to IVF.
When Should You Consider Surrogacy?
After failed IVF for a second baby or complications from a previous pregnancy, surrogacy could be the right option for you.
Surrogacy is often recommended by fertility specialists when repeated IVF attempts fail despite using high-quality embryos, or when a previous pregnancy has made it physically unsafe or emotionally draining to try again.
Here are a few specific scenarios when doctors might recommend surrogacy:
- Multiple failed IVF cycles: If you’ve tried several IVF cycles with healthy embryos and still haven’t achieved a pregnancy, your doctor might suggest surrogacy. This could be due to issues like implantation failure, unexplained infertility or changes in the uterine environment that make pregnancy challenging.
- Complications from a previous pregnancy: If your first IVF pregnancy led to complications that would make carrying a second IVF pregnancy difficult, such as significant uterine scarring, placenta previa or preeclampsia, surrogacy could be a safer option.
- Age: In some cases, IVF fails due to age-related infertility. Surrogacy can help by using a healthy, younger surrogate to carry your embryo.
Why Surrogacy May Succeed After Failed IVF for Second Baby
A surrogate provides a healthy uterine environment, bypassing potential issues that may be preventing you from conceiving.
Surrogates undergo thorough screening to ensure they meet key health criteria. Factors like age, body mass index and previous pregnancy history are carefully evaluated to maximize the chances of a successful pregnancy.
Research supports this. One study shows that pregnancies carried by gestational surrogates have higher implantation, pregnancy and live birth rates than non-gestational carrier cycles (such as through IVF).
This makes surrogacy a promising option for parents who want to grow their family but aren’t getting pregnant again after IVF.
How Surrogacy Compares to IVF in Terms of Time
While IVF cycles can take several months, with limited success, surrogacy can provide a more predictable and quicker path, especially when multiple IVF attempts have failed.
Here’s a brief comparison of timelines:
IVF
Each round of IVF typically involves a few weeks of preparation, egg retrieval, embryo creation, and then a waiting period after the embryo transfer.
If IVF for a second baby fails, you’ll need to start the process over, which can lead to months or even years of frustration and uncertainty.
Surrogacy
Once a surrogate is selected and undergoes medical and psychological screening (which typically takes 1-2 months), the embryo transfer can be scheduled.
This means that even if your first IVF attempts have failed, surrogacy can often move you forward more quickly, bypassing certain hurdles that IVF might face.
After multiple failed second IVF pregnancy attempts, surrogacy offers a more direct and efficient path.
Learn more about the complete surrogacy timeline and surrogacy can fast track your path to parenthood.
How We Can Help You on Your Family-Building Journey
If a second IVF after the first success isn’t working, it doesn’t mean your family-building dreams have to end. In fact, exploring alternative options like surrogacy may be the key to growing your family when IVF alone isn’t enough.
At American Surrogacy, we understand how challenging and emotional the fertility process can be, and we’re here to offer you the guidance and support you need every step of the way.
From the moment you reach out, we’ll help you navigate the logistics of surrogacy with transparency and care.
Matching with the Right Surrogate – Fast
We understand that time is of the essence in your family-building journey, which is why we prioritize quick and efficient matching with a surrogate.
Thanks to our rigorous prescreening process and nationwide reach, we can connect you with qualified surrogates much faster than many other agencies.
This streamlined approach minimizes waiting times and helps get you one step closer to your dream of becoming parents.
Cost Transparency and Financial Protection
We understand that surrogacy can be a significant financial commitment, which is why we offer full cost transparency through every step of the process.
Our Limited Risk Program provides an added layer of financial protection, ensuring that your investment is safeguarded against unexpected costs.
You’ll have a clear understanding of what to expect, from surrogate compensation to medical and legal fees, and our program helps reduce the financial uncertainty that can sometimes accompany the surrogacy journey.
Emotional Support During Your Fertility Journey
Going through IVF, especially after a failed second IVF attempt, can take an emotional toll on you and your partner. It’s important to remember that it’s okay to feel frustrated, exhausted and overwhelmed.
Many people going through fertility struggles experience feelings of isolation or self-doubt. Here are some ways to take care of yourself:
- Take time for self-care: Practice mindfulness, meditation, or gentle exercise to reduce stress and improve your emotional well-being.
- Talk to a counselor or therapist: Seeking emotional support from a professional who specializes in fertility struggles can help you process the emotions involved and build coping strategies.
- Join a support group: Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can offer you a sense of solidarity and understanding.
- Communicate with your partner: Fertility struggles affect both partners. Make sure to check in with each other regularly and offer emotional support throughout the journey.
Helpful Subreddits for Support
- r/IVFAfterSuccess: A supportive community for individuals who have previously achieved success with IVF and are now seeking to expand their families or are undergoing additional fertility treatments.
- r/InfertilitySucks: A supportive and open community for individuals dealing with infertility. It serves as a space for people to share their personal struggles, vent their frustrations and seek advice and encouragement.
- r/IVF: A community dedicated to individuals undergoing or considering in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. It serves as a place where people can discuss their IVF experiences, share information, offer support and ask for advice.
Taking the Next Step in Your Fertility Journey
If a second round of IVF after the first success isn’t working, it doesn’t mean your family-building dreams have to end. Surrogacy may be the right path forward, allowing you to have another child even when carrying a pregnancy yourself is no longer possible.
You don’t have to navigate this journey alone. Reach out to learn more about how surrogacy can help you achieve your dream of parenthood and take the next step toward building the family you’ve been hoping for.