Women who have experienced secondary infertility speak out about the emotional struggles and judgements they have faced from others.
Even before we got married, it was something we talked about, Matthews says.
But growing their family has not come easy to them.
When they started trying to get pregnant again, Matthews had two more miscarriages.
But this time, it didnt work, and Matthews experienced an additional two miscarriages.
Each pregnancy now, Im scared the whole time.
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Its a continuous stream of thoughts like, I think I felt a cramp.
Oh, here comes a period.
Oh, is my 5-year-old too heavy to pick up?
You have all these thoughts and feelings because you want something so bad and youre trying so hard.
After each egg transfer during IVF, I would take three or four pregnancy tests a day.
Its just a lot to handle emotionally.
But there are some circumstances that make it unique.
Bills got pregnant with her first child naturally when she was on her honeymoon at age 19.
She stuck with it, but still was unable to get pregnant.
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But she emphasizes that no one should feel guilty about wanting another child.
Everyone has their own ideal family size.
One of my brothers wasnt really supportive, Bills recalls.
He asked me, Why do you want another child?
You have a teen daughter.
Why do you want to start all over again?'
We kept trying and trying and eventually my marriage just imploded from the stress.
It all just became too much for me and for him.
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