A Brisbane couple has opened up about their struggle to have a second child following a diagnosis of Asherman’s Syndrome

Laura and Tom Bailey began trying for their second child in 2017, a year after welcoming their daughter, Indi.

Laura’s doctor suggested she stop breastfeeding and her periods will return, which might help her to conceive.

Months passed and nothing happened, her periods did not return and each pregnancy test resulted in a negative.

Laura started to do some research as she felt there was something more going on.

She told ABC: “I started doing my own research and that’s when I stumbled across Asherman’s Syndrome.”

What is Asherman’s Syndrome?

According to the International Asherman’s Syndrome, the condition is a rare uterine disease that causes adhesions and scar tissues in the uterus or cervix, and sometimes both areas. In many cases, the front and the back of the uterus stick together. The adhesions are defined in stages of mild, moderate, or severe.

Symptoms can include no periods, and pain when the menstrual cycle is due to occur, but there is no shedding of the lining as it cannot exit the uterus due to the adhesions blocking the cervix.

It can cause miscarriage and fertility issues, although these symptoms are not exhaustive and many women live for years not knowing that they have the disease.

In some cases, Asherman’s occurs when there has been an infection due to a dilation and curettage(D&C) procedure following a miscarriage, abortion, or after childbirth if the placenta isn’t properly expelled.

Laura had a D&C after the birth of Indi.

She approached her doctor about this, but when she suggested Asherman’s she said it was dismissed.

She went ahead and booked a private appointment with a gynecologist and Asherman’s Syndrome specialist in Sydney, where she was diagnosed with stage 3 of the condition.

She was successfully treated and just two months later she fell pregnant.

Professor Thierry Vancaille, who treated Laura, said he treats 50 to 60 women each year at his clinic who have Asherman’s Syndrome.

He said: “Most of the time women struggle to get pregnant again…or they have a miscarriage, they want to try again but it doesn’t work. That’s a typical story.

“A traditional gynecologist – who does everything – probably only sees two or three cases during their entire career.”

Treatment for the syndrome usually involves surgery to remove the scarring, and can sometimes can include multiple surgeries.

The treatment is deemed hugely successful and most women are able to go on to have the children they desire.

Do you have similar symptoms to Laura? We would love to hear your story. Email mystory@ivfbabble.com.