What Most Women Don’t Know About Miscarriage and Infertility

If you’re thinking of starting a family or having another baby, it’s important to know the truth about your fertility.

And with more Canadian women deciding to delay motherhood later, it’s no surprise that fertility is on the mind of many couples.

For this reason, we’ve asked Dr. Sony Sierra, a reproductive endocrinologist and infertility specialist (REI) at Trio Fertility and third party expert, to share what every woman needs to know about infertility and miscarriage.

What are the most commonly missed symptoms of infertility?

“Certain factors that influence fertility can often be silent. The four most common silent symptoms of infertility include: fibroids, history of pelvic inflammatory disease or sexually transmitted disease,  endometriosis  and how much you weigh.

“All of these conditions can interfere with the sperm’s ability to traverse through the uterine cavity and fallopian tubes. These conditions can also can interfere with implantation once fertilization occurs.

“Another commonly missed symptom of infertility include extremes of weight. Weight that falls outside of normal ranges, either under or over, is often overlooked as an issue when it’s time to conceive, however can lead to infertility.”

In your opinion, what should every woman know about miscarriage?

“First of all, it’s important for women and couples to know that miscarriage is very common. Up to 40 per cent of all conceptions (or more), can end with early pregnancy loss. The majority of losses happen early in the pregnancy, before it is even clinically recognized or an ultrasound can show a healthy pregnancy has started. ”

“The next most important thing to know is that these losses are more often than not caused by bad luck, or random genetic error.”

How common is secondary infertility?

“Secondary infertility, which is described as a delay to conceive again after a previous conception, is a tough issue.  It is difficult to estimate how many women and couples face this problem, but it is estimated one in six women are struggling with this.

“Not only is it very common, but it’s also often a very difficult time for most women and couples. Unfortunately, the support for secondary infertility is lacking. The reassuring fact however, is that the overall prognosis in these couples is very good, compared to those who have never conceived.”

Is tracking your cycle really necessary?

“If you’re trying to conceive, keeping track of your cycle is an important first step. If cycles are irregular, or if there are no signs or symptoms of ovulation, it’s important to book a consultation with a fertility specialist if conception doesn’t occur within 6 months.”

Best Health Tip: Start taking a prenatal vitamin before you start trying to conceive, Dr. Sierra advises. If and when you’re already pregnant, opt for a prenatal gummy vitamin like First Response Prenatal & Postnatal Multivitamin Gummies. Many women who experience morning sickness find that gummy vitamins are easier to keep down, she explains.