Is it easier to get pregnant the second time? Expert takeover with Maigaard Fertility Clinic

When you’re trying for a second baby, and it was pretty plain-sailing the first time around, the assumption is often that things will just fall into place. You’ve been pregnant before, your body “knows what to do,” and your fertility is confirmed. You’re good to go, by everyone’s standards. 

For me and my husband, conceiving baby number one was the problem. The second time, with our son (now five), it was all super-easy. I know lots of people who’ve been on each and every side of this journey, and from experience only, it really does just depend. 

But what does science – and clinical expertise – say, in 2025? 

Secondary infertility is now one of Mumsnet’s most talked-about topics. In 2025, threads on the subject run into hundreds of comments, with parents sharing everything from TTC frustration to medical investigations and treatment journeys.

We’ve teamed up with Maigaard Fertility Clinic, one of Denmark’s most established fertility centres, to answer the questions mums and dads are asking right now.

First things first – why Denmark, right now?

Mumsnet users often discuss the pros and cons of travelling abroad for fertility care. And across online search more broadly, Denmark consistently comes up as a top choice. Why?

Check out our previous coverage with Maigaard Fertility Clinic for the deep-dive – and these are the top deciding-factors across the community: 

• World-leading IVF outcomes
  
• Shorter waiting lists than the UK
  
• Transparent costs, often lower than in the UK or US
  
• Access to advanced laboratory techniques
  
• Highly individualised, patient-centred care

Maigaard Fertility Clinic, based in Aarhus, is one of Denmark’s most trusted centres. Couples travel from across Europe for their expertise, including when facing complex cases of secondary infertility.

Now, for the expertise. Let’s deep-dive your biggest secondary infertility questions.

Is it easier to get pregnant the second time round?

You’d think so, wouldn’t you? In theory, if you’ve conceived before, your fertility is ‘confirmed’. In reality, fertility shifts over time. Age plays a major role, as do hormonal health, reproductive conditions, and lifestyle factors. Many families conceive their second within a few months, but others find the process takes far longer than expected.

What’s particularly tough is the expectation gap. With your first, you may have gone into TTC with no assumptions, but the second time, there’s often a belief that it will happen quickly. This makes delays feel more stressful.

Why can’t I get pregnant again – what is secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility is defined as the inability to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term after previously giving birth. It is surprisingly common. Studies have shown that among women aged 20-44, 10.5% experience secondary infertility, making it just as significant as primary infertility.

One reason it’s not widely discussed is stigma. Parents often feel guilty for vocalising their hopes and plans for another child when they already have one (particularly across the fertility community), or worry they’ll be judged for complaining. But infertility is painful in any form, and it’s important to validate that experience.

What causes secondary infertility?

The causes can be varied, and often multiple factors are at play. Some of the most common include:

• Age-related decline: Egg quality and ovarian reserve decline naturally over time, especially after 35. And, male factor after age 40-45.
• Hormonal imbalance: Conditions such as PCOS or thyroid dysfunction can interfere with ovulation.
• Reproductive health conditions: Endometriosis, adenomyosis, or fibroids may emerge or worsen between pregnancies.
• Tubal damage: Infections, C-sections, or complications from the first pregnancy can cause scarring.
• Autoimmune disorders: These can disrupt implantation or cause miscarriage.
• Male factors: Low sperm count, motility, morphology, or varicocele are more common than many realise.
• Unexplained infertility: In many cases, no clear cause is found (around 30% of infertility is diagnosed as unexplained, worldwide).

It’s worth noting that couples may have different fertility profiles with each pregnancy attempt. Frustratingly, a healthy conception once doesn’t rule out new obstacles later.

If age is my main issue, what next?

Age-related secondary infertility is one of the hardest to navigate, emotionally and medically. Time becomes a pressure point.

• Non-IVF options: Fertility medications such as letrozole or clomid can help stimulate ovulation. Timed intercourse (with monitoring) and IUI may also be effective, especially if your partner’s sperm is healthy.
• IVF options: IVF is still one of the most effective interventions, particularly for women over 38. Approaches may include mild IVF or IVF with donor eggs if ovarian reserve is very low.

Many couples want to go for non-IVF routes first. That’s valid, but it’s worth having an honest discussion with a fertility specialist about the odds, especially when age is a significant factor.

I had a C-section – could that be why I can’t get pregnant again?

This is a huge thread topic on Mumsnet. Research shows that C-sections can occasionally contribute to secondary infertility, due to:

• Adhesions (scar tissue) around the uterus or fallopian tubes.
• C-section niche (isthmocele), a defect at the scar site that can affect implantation.
• Infection risk, though rare, which may damage reproductive tissues.

That said, the majority of women who have had C-sections conceive again without difficulty. If there are concerns, imaging (like hysteroscopy or ultrasound) can check for scarring or niches.

Does low AMH mean I won’t get pregnant again?

Low AMH – a measure of ovarian reserve – is one of the most anxiety-inducing results parents receive during testing. It’s important to know that low AMH doesn’t mean pregnancy is impossible. Women with low AMH conceive naturally every day. But it does mean that egg supply is reduced, and in IVF contexts, it can predict fewer eggs will be retrieved.

Could it be a male factor issue, this time?

Absolutely. Male fertility isn’t static. Sperm quality can change with age, health, and lifestyle. Issues such as reduced motility, abnormal morphology, or varicocele (enlarged veins in the scrotum) can all emerge over time.

Lifestyle adjustments (diet, exercise, supplements, quitting smoking) can improve sperm parameters. In more severe cases, treatments range from surgery to IVF with ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection), where a single healthy sperm is injected into an egg.

Is IVF my only option?

No – IVF is not the default. Depending on the diagnosis, treatments may include:

• Ovulation induction medications
• IUI (intrauterine insemination)
• Surgery for endometriosis, fibroids, or tubal blockages
• Nutritional and supplement support (be sure to look into CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3s and folate as a baseline)
• Lifestyle strategies (optimising BMI, reducing alcohol, stress management)
  

That said, IVF often provides some of the highest success rates, particularly in older patients or where multiple factors are involved. Check out the latest stats from the HFEA. 

What if it’s unexplained?

“Unexplained infertility” is a frustrating diagnosis. It doesn’t mean there’s no problem – only that testing hasn’t revealed one. Couples in this situation often move on to “empirical” treatments like IUI or IVF, which can bypass really niche or hard-to-spot issues.

Supportive care is also key. For many couples, the stress of unexplained infertility is as challenging as the physical aspects. Having a specialist who validates that experience makes a difference.

What to do next

Secondary infertility isn’t a niche concern – it’s one of the most active topics in our corner of Mumsnet in 2025. From threads like “Second baby taking forever — anyone else?” to “C-section and now TTC #2, no luck”, we’ve read through so many stories – all of them unique, but very familiar.

By combining lived experiences with expert answers, the TRB aim is to bring clarity and compassion to a tough journey. Whether through lifestyle adjustments, medical treatment, or IVF, there are many paths forward.

Expert clinics like Maigaard are at the forefront of helping families expand – connect with their team for a run-through and all the detail on quick-start care, in Denmark.