5 Causes It's Difficult to Have a Second Child and How to Overcome It

For some parents, the process of having a second child is not as easy as having a first child. This can be caused by a variety of things, and how to deal with it must be adjusted to the cause.

Secondary infertility or secondary infertility This is a condition when couples who have had children have not succeeded in getting pregnant again after trying for about a year. This is quite common and doesn't necessarily mean that the couple is no longer likely to have children.

Various Causes It's Difficult to Have a Second Child

There are several things that can make it difficult for mothers and fathers to have a second child, namely:

1. Mother is 35 years old or older

Age is the main cause of a woman having difficulty conceiving a second child. This is because the fertility of women over the age of 35 has naturally decreased dramatically.

2. Dad's sperm quality is declining

According to research, 40% of cases of secondary infertility are caused by decreased sperm quality. Decreased sperm quality can be caused by several factors, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, or gonorrhea.

In addition, sperm quality can also decrease due to smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, and stress.

3. Mom or Dad is overweight

If your mother or father is overweight, this could be the reason why it is difficult for you and your father to have a second child.

In women, excess body weight can cause the body's cell response to insulin to be disrupted and testosterone levels to increase. This condition can inhibit ovulation, which is the process of releasing eggs from the ovaries (ovaries).

Whereas in men, excess body weight can increase estrogen levels in the body, resulting in a decrease in the number of sperm produced by the testes.

4. Mother or Father's lifestyle is not healthy

Having an unhealthy lifestyle, such as smoking or drinking alcohol frequently, can lower your chances of having a second child.

The reason is, alcohol and toxic substances in cigarettes can reduce the level of fertility in women and reduce the quality of sperm in men.

5. Mother is suffering polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disease that can cause hormonal disturbances in women. This condition could be the reason why it is difficult for you to conceive a second child.

PCOS is usually characterized by irregular periods. So, if your menstrual schedule is irregular, try to see a gynecologist.

In addition, difficulty having a second child can also be caused by a history of miscarriage, sexually transmitted infections, or infections in the womb.

How to Increase Chances of Having a Second Child

There are several ways you can do to increase the chances of Mom and Dad having a second child, including:

  • Eat nutritious food.
  • Taking medication from a doctor to stimulate egg production.
  • Take vitamins C and D to increase your sperm production, and take vitamin B complex to increase your fertility.
  • Prevent stress.
  • Exercise regularly
  • Avoid secondhand smoke and limit consumption of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages.

If you have PCOS, your doctor will give you medicine to treat it, so that your chances of getting pregnant will increase. The doctor will also advise you to eat foods that are rich in nutrients with sufficient protein content.

There are many reasons why it is difficult for mothers and fathers to have a second child. In order not to wait any longer, Mother and Father should consult with a gynecologist so that the cause can be identified and given the appropriate treatment.