What is the chance I have secondary infertility?

Question

Hi doctor,

I just wanted to know my chances of having secondary infertility. When I was 15, I was sexually assaulted, which resulted in pregnancy and a late-term abortion.

At 18, I fell pregnant with my son. I had an easy pregnancy with no complications. Last year, at 28 weeks, I went into early labor, which stopped until 29 weeks, and his heart rate started dropping and not picking back up, and I started bleeding. They delivered him at 29 weeks via emergency C-section.

During the healing process, I had a hematoma and a large infection right on top of each other, and after two weeks of not being able to walk, only being in a wheelchair, my healed scar ripped open, and blood and pus were leaking for days. I have not used protection with my partner since last year, and since the end of the year, I have been tracking my cycle and making sure we have sex days before, during, and after my ovulation.

I guess I want to know when I should go to the doctors, how secondary infertility is diagnosed and what you think about my situation. Also, periods have been a lot heavier since the birth of my son, more painful, and have included large clots. Before his birth, my periods were very light, lasted three days, and I had no pain or clots.

Kindly guide.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

That was quite a history. I hope you and your son are doing fine.

Well, to start with, you will need to rule out any pelvic infections.

Examination by your doctor for pain as early as 28 weeks of pregnancy, with a history of sexual assault at a young age, pus from the Cesarean scar with wound gaping, all can be due to infection.

This can also increase your period's blood being thicker, darker, with vaginal discharge, itching, and fleshy masses.

You and your partner will need a course of antibiotics.

Rule out any bleeding disorder.

Anyway, when you have purulent discharge, there is a risk of infection entering the abdomen. This could affect the tubes. So, better have the tubes tested by HSG (hysterosalpingogram) or laparoscopy.

You have had a pregnancy, so you will definitely have a pregnancy again. If your attempts to get pregnant have crossed six to eight months, then it's better to meet with your doctor.

Hope I have clarified your query. Do write back if any more queries.

All the best.

Thank you.