Mothers who have relinquished a child for adoption and higher than average rates of secondary infertility?

I've heard many times that "birth" mothers experience a higher than average rate of secondary infertility. Does anyone know why this is?

Okay, cantstop. I agree it is something the adoption industry would not put out there, that evidence to suggest that would be suppressed. But, the people who say this, where are thy getting this information? And, if it is true, which I'm operating under the assumption that it is, WHY? That is my main question.

It's difficult to find solid statistics regarding secondary infertility in relation to birth mothers vs. that in the general population. Some claim 20-30% choose not to have another child. In one review, 36% of birth moms experience secondary infertility (Stiffler 1991); or birth moms are 170% higher than the general population to experience secondary infertility (Deykin, E., Ph.D., 1982, "The post adoption experience of surrendering parents". American Journal of Orthopsychiatry.)

"Unlike those experiencing primary infertility, couples that are affected by secondary infertility are much less likely to get infertility treatment. This is usually due to the misconception that once you're fertile, you'll always be fertile......Reasons for secondary infertility tend to be the same as reasons for primary infertility. Since you were last pregnant, you or your partner may have had an infection, gained some weight, or started eating fewer healthy foods. These seemingly small variances can have large repercussions on reproductive health. Additionally, if it has been a few years since you last had a child, egg quality may have begun decreasing or your partner's sperm may not be what it once was. Abnormalities with sperm and ejaculate are frequently cited as causes of secondary infertility. Other common explanations for secondary infertility include:
* Ovulation problems, * Endometriosis, * Pelvic adhesions,
* Uterine fibroids or polyps"
http://www.fertilityfactor.com/infertili...
http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org/ginni....

One article mentioned a high incidence of depression & 'numbing' behaviors in the aftermath of adoption. I wonder if prescription meds (or 'self medication' such as alcohol use) may contribute to secondary infertility. I say that with NO judgment AT ALL! People cope with trauma, stress or PTSD in any number of ways. It's a matter of emotional survival.

It's an interesting question. I've often wondered myself.

This is an excellent article about the effects of unresolved grief that a mother often experiences after losing a child this way.

Millen, L.; Roll, S. (1985). "Solomon's mothers; a special case of pathological bereavement." American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 55, 441-448.

I am one of those women who I believe suffered from secondary infertility. It is estimated that approximately 1/3 of women who surrendered a child has this issue. After going through fertility testing while married - it was determined that there was no reason I wasn't conceiving. My husband had fathered two other children so he wasn't the problem.

I believe for me it was a combination of unresolved guilt and not feeling deserving of another child since I had given one away.

In the 20 years I participated in a national support group for mothers of surrendered children, I noticed that many of the searching mothers did not have another child.

However, many of these mothers stated that they had chosen not to have another, for a number of different reasons. Some never married. Some never felt secure enough to try.Some actually did get pregnant again but had an abortion.

Many of the mothers who contacted the organization did have other children, but these mothers never followed through with searching or with joining the group. The mothers who joined were predominantly the mothers whose only child had been surrendered to adoption.

Therefore, they dominated the statistics.

ETA; the group was often a source of research for 'birthmother' studies and statistics.

I would like to see the evidence on that.
ETA: Amy, your premise doesn't make sense. If it can't be statistically proven then it isn't true. Who is to say that a woman that doesn't place her first child for adoption can't be infertile after? I am sorry, but I need to see some proven studies to believe it. I don't see how you can blame the adoption industry for this one..
ETA: Ok, but the paper cited did not state the reason for the infertility.

The cause is not easily determined; could be caused by either physical or psychological factors.

The physical causes could be related to stress hormones due to depression caused by the relinquishment.

Psychological causes are related to fear of intimacy and pregnancy, trust and relationship problems, fear of losing another child, loyalty to the relinquished child, etc.

It may be psychological in that they know they have given a child up and want to have a baby but somehow feel that they don't deserve it. But this is not true in all cases you see drug addicted mothers having multiple babies and they get taken from them which I guess is not exactly the same deal. I have also seen mothers who want to have kids because their children have been adopted and then ultimately have abortions.

Losing a baby in such a traumatic way actually leaves its marks on the physical body. I have known and know many mothers who cannot have children since losing their firstborn. I personally believe it is linked to the trauma.

Following the loss of my daughter, I had the worst health I have ever had in my life. I practically lived at the doctors and became really sick, missing out on work and ending up in bed as I could barely move. I had heart issues and my heart has been deemed perfectly healthy since. My immune system was so low and every doctor I saw, once I told them about my daughter, all told me (this is 8 different doctors and specialists I am talking about) all put it down to the loss and how the trauma played out in my body.

Some mothers choose not to have more children, others have no choice, their body shuts down and can physically not have children.

From the website http://www.adoptioncrossroads.org/ginni....

"True some birthmothers did marry, and have other children. However, according to research, far too many did not have another child, 20 to 30% by choice (Anderson, Deykin), and others suffered a secondary infertility rate 170% higher than the general population (Deykin)."

When I first read this it was in the Primal Wound book and afterwards I did some research on it. I can't remember exact numbers now, but I can try to find the sources again. And to clarify, I believe this is generally talking about -voluntary- secondary infertility that was usually related to the grief and loss of relinquishing and the pervasive feeling of "I gave up one, I don't deserve another"

You won't find much evidence on this, even though it DOES happen. Why? Because the adoption industry doesn't want anyone to know- just like they dont want anyone to know the issues first Moms and adoptees will have due to adoption. Just like they tell first moms they'll "forget" about their surrendered child..Lies, lies, lies.

eta:
http://books.google.com/books?id=7NIovRK...

http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journ...

http://www.americanadoptioncongress.org/...

Most cases are written off as "unexplained" or psychosomatic due to Post-traumatic Stress.

I think the psychological damage affects their bodies and reproduction. My bio mom had me at 16 (relinquished) and another baby at 17 (stillborn) but when she tried to have babies with her husband at 30 was unable to and the doctors could not figure out why.

I've heard of it, but I haven't found any medical studies on the subject. If there is a proven link, I'd be interested in reading about it.

I surrendered a child, no reason why I shouldn't conceive even though my husband has a low sperm count. No reason given why it happens.

I've not heard this, but it could have some emotional tie to the body's biological clock. That is really sad and heartbreaking.

Actually, there has been very little research on the mothers post surrender of any kind, particularly any that will not support adoption. There have been a few studies done that have shown negative outcomes for both mother and child, but they have largely been suppressed or the research has been discounted. Usually, we simply don't hear of them without a lot of digging and research, and a lot of the data is unavailable. This sort of thing is discouraged in our Capitalist society, and there is funding to find information that shows adoption in a good light, but negatives are not something that there is funding for.

The thing I find interesting is that whenever there is a grant from the Government or a large corporation for adoption research, they always use the "children languishing in foster care" as examples of how wonderful adoption would be for them. That was done when the Adoption Awareness Act was being touted before the media. I kept hearing about all the children in foster care who deserve a good home, and we should pay for this to encourage adoption. However, when the act came about, the name that they were using was the Infant Adoption Awareness Act which was heavily pushed by Jim De Mint...what a guy!!! . I found it interesting that they were using the Foster Care kiddos for the push, but it was (and always has been) about getting babies to market the fastest and most profitable way possible. Infants don't usually "languish in foster care" for very long!

Those Adoption Awareness monies were a boon for the adoption industry, adoption education, for encouraging adoption and is one of the main reasons that Stephanie Bennett lost her baby to adoption in her High School Guidance Counselor's office!

Further, if someone dares to do the research, post the information or say anything that shows that adoption is not simply the industry painted Hallmark option, they are labeled as Anti-adoption, bitter and angry. You can see that here.....

Karma

The human body isn't like a gumball machine...it's not going to keep popping kids out until they pick a keeper.