Secondary infertility with a history of vaginal childbirth: Ready to have another one?

INTRODUCTION

Up to 30% of couples may face secondary infertility. The impact of ectopic pregnancy, spontaneous abortion, pregnancy termination or live birth with caesarean section may impair further fertility in different ways. However, secondary infertility after physiological vaginal life childbirth has been little studied. The aim of this study was to describe the population and the fertility issues and analyze the predictive factors of success in in vitro fertilization in women presenting secondary infertility after a physiological vaginal childbirth.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

This single-centre retrospective study included women aged 18-43 years consulting between 2013 and 2020 for secondary infertility in a couple having already had previous vaginal life childbirth. Couples' characteristics, management decision after the first consultation and IVF outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

Secondary infertility was found in 286 couples, out of whom 138 had a history of vaginal life childbirth. Population was characterized by an advanced female age and overweight. After the first consultation, IVF was performed in only 40% of couples. No predictive factor of live birth was found.

CONCLUSION

Our study shows that in couples with secondary infertility after prior physiological delivery cigarette smoking is frequent in male partners, and ovarian reserve markers are altered. However, no statistically significant predictive factor of live birth after IVF treatment has been identified. Further large prospective studies are necessary.