Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Testing for secondary infertility?

7 May, 2009
Question:

Hi…my son is almost 26 months old and I haven’t been on any pills or anything..I dont feel like I have to have a baby right away, but if I became pregnant I would be thrilled…but people keep bothering me to do those crazy fertility tests. Do you have any advice for me since you deal with these matters frequently? Thanking you in advance.


Answer:

The amount of time it takes for a woman to conceive another child after giving birth varies from woman to woman. Breastfeeding can also delay conception.

The general practice is to begin a medical evaluation after a couple has tried to conceive for one year without success, or after six months if over the age of 35.

While it can be scary and overwhelming to enter an unknown world of tests and procedures, the fact that you would be thrilled to get pregnant may be an indication that you are ready to look into the matter. When and if you want to proceed, you should raise this concern with your gynecologist. Take things one step at a time. Do not overwhelm yourself, and wait until you feel ready. Your family planning is a private matter between you and your husband, and you can choose with whom you wish to discuss it.

You may also find it helpful to consult a Yoetzet Halacha Fertility Counselor. (This is a free service, details here.)

Please feel free to get back to us with any further questions.

We wish you much hatzlacha!

This response was updated in October, 2020.

This internet service does not preclude, override or replace the psak of any rabbinical authority. It is the responsibility of the questioner to inform us of any previous consultation or ruling. As even slight variation in circumstances may have Halachic consequences, views expressed concerning one case may not be applied to other, seemingly similar cases. All health and health-related information contained within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is intended to be general in nature and should not be used as a substitute for consulting with your health care professional. The advice is intended to offer a basis for individuals to discuss their medical condition with their health care provider but not individual advice. Although every effort is made to ensure that the material within Nishmat's Women's Health & Halacha Web site is accurate and timely, it is provided for the convenience of the Web site user but should not be considered official. Advice for actual medical practice should be obtained from a licensed health care professional.

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