Struggling to get pregnant can be an emotionally taxing experience, and when IVF doesn’t lead to a successful pregnancy, it’s natural to feel confused and discouraged.
Understanding the reasons why you may not be able to get pregnant or carry a baby after IVF can help you process your emotions and plan your next steps.
If you are having trouble carrying a baby, you can learn more about what you can do here.
Read on to learn more about the medical conditions and factors that might affect your ability to achieve and maintain a pregnancy. You can also find practical next steps to help you navigate your journey.
Why Can’t I Carry a Baby? [Infertility Causes]
Understanding the medical conditions that can impact your ability to carry a baby is crucial for addressing infertility and recurrent pregnancy loss.
Uterine Conditions: Conditions such as endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine scarring can significantly affect your ability to carry a pregnancy. Endometriosis, where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, can cause pain and infertility. Fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus, can obstruct implantation or cause complications during pregnancy. Uterine scarring or a tilted uterus can also impact pregnancy maintenance. Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal issues related to ovary or thyroid function can interfere with your ability to conceive and sustain a pregnancy. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and thyroid disorders can disrupt ovulation and hormonal balance, affecting fertility. Chronic Conditions: Chronic health conditions such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders can impact pregnancy. Diabetes, if poorly managed, can lead to complications like miscarriage or preterm birth. Autoimmune disorders may cause the body to attack its own tissues, including the reproductive organs. Weight and Age: Both weight and age can influence fertility and pregnancy outcomes. Being significantly underweight or overweight can affect hormone levels and ovulation. Additionally, advancing age can decrease egg quality and reproductive efficiency.
Why Can’t I Get Pregnant Again? [Secondary Infertility]
If you already have one or more children but are still not getting pregnant a second time after six months to a year of trying, you may be struggling with secondary infertility.
This can be as distressing as primary infertility and may be caused by similar factors, such as changes in reproductive health or age-related issues. It's important to evaluate whether any new or underlying conditions have developed since your previous successful pregnancies.
Why Isn’t IVF Working for Me?
If you're still not pregnant after an IVF transfer, it can be disheartening. Several factors can result in multiple failed IVF cycles. You can read more about the reasons below.
If you're facing challenges with IVF, consulting with a fertility expert can help identify specific issues and adjust your approach for better chances of success.
Why Can’t I Carry a Baby to Term?
If you’re struggling to carry a baby to term after IVF, there can be several underlying reasons. Understanding these can help you find the right support and solutions:
- Implantation Issues: Sometimes, embryos may not implant properly in the uterine lining, leading to early pregnancy loss. Factors like uterine abnormalities or hormonal imbalances can affect implantation.
- Genetic Factors: Genetic abnormalities in the embryos can result in miscarriages. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) can help identify these issues before transfer.
- Uterine Conditions: Conditions such as polyps, fibroids or endometriosis can interfere with a healthy pregnancy. A thorough evaluation of the uterus can help identify any issues.
- Hormonal Imbalances: Hormones play a role in maintaining pregnancy. Issues with progesterone or other hormones can contribute to pregnancy loss.
- Age: Maternal age can impact egg quality and uterine receptivity. Older age is associated with a higher risk of miscarriage.
- Immune System Factors: Some women may have immune system disorders that can lead to pregnancy complications.
Steps to Take if IVF Is Not Successful
If IVF isn’t yielding the desired results, consider the following steps:
- Consult a Fertility Specialist: A fertility specialist can provide further insights into why IVF might not be working and offer alternative treatments or adjustments.
- Consider Lifestyle Adjustments: Sometimes, changes in diet, exercise, and stress management can improve overall reproductive health and increase the likelihood of conception.
- Seek Alternative Options: Options like surrogacy and adoption may still be possible when IVF has been unsuccessful.
Considering Surrogacy After Not Getting Pregnant With IVF
When you consult with fertility specialists, sometimes the medical reasons for unsuccessful pregnancy or IVF can have fixes, while other times, carrying a baby is not an option.
Things like age, chronic health conditions, and severe uterine conditions can sometimes be reasons that carrying a pregnancy yourself is no longer an option. If you are in the position where IVF is not possible and you can’t carry a baby, you can explore options like surrogacy.
Surrogates are screened for health and age, and have had previous successful pregnancies, and they can give families a higher likelihood of success in IVF.
If you have embryos remaining from IVF, they can be used for surrogacy, and you can get matched with one of our qualified surrogates in an average of 1 - 6 months.
Our surrogacy specialists help families like you every day. You can get help now when you fill out our simple form.
You can also read more here about surrogacy after IVF.
How to Cope When You’re Still Not Pregnant After IVF
The emotional toll of infertility and pregnancy loss can be overwhelming. Here are some strategies and resources to help you cope:
- Seek Professional Help: Therapy or counseling can help you process your emotions and develop coping strategies. Professionals specializing in infertility and pregnancy loss can offer tailored support.
- Join Support Groups: Connecting with others who are going through similar experiences can provide comfort and a sense of community. Support groups offer a space to share experiences and receive encouragement.
- Practice Self-Care: Prioritize activities that help you relax and feel supported, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.
- Reach Out for Specialized Support: Look for organizations and resources dedicated to supporting individuals facing infertility and pregnancy loss. These can provide additional guidance and emotional support.
Moving Forward
Navigating the challenges of infertility and pregnancy loss requires patience, support, and self-compassion. By understanding the potential causes and exploring various options, you can make informed decisions about your path forward. Remember, seeking support from professionals and connecting with others who understand your journey can make a significant difference in your emotional well-being and overall resilience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean when you can't carry a baby?
When you can’t carry a baby, it can be for many reasons, including infertility, age, or medical conditions. The options available to you will depend on the reason for your inability to carry a baby. In some cases, medical treatments can help you carry a pregnancy. For some women, surrogacy can be an option.
Why would a woman not be able to carry a baby?
There are many factors that can mean a woman may not be able to carry a baby, including things like fallopian tube obstruction, lack of ovulation, hormonal imbalances, semen quality, and general health.
Why can I get pregnant but can't carry?
Quality of embryos, uterine abnormalities, hormonal disorders, and other factors can mean that you may test positive for pregnancy but be unable to carry to term.
What to do if you can't carry a baby?
If you can’t carry a baby, you may be a candidate for surrogacy. If you have embryos, surrogacy can be a straightforward process.