Doctors have managed a rare and complex case of secondary infertility in a 40-year-old woman who travelled from Canada to India seeking specialised treatment. The patient, already a mother to an 11-year-old child, had been struggling to conceive again and approached Elantis Healthcare for IVF treatment after facing persistent fertility challenges. Following a detailed evaluation, doctors identified an unusual anatomical complication linked to her previous childbirth, which had significantly impacted her chances of conception.
Rare Anatomical Complication
According to the medical team, after her first delivery, the cervix, the opening of the uterus, had shifted abnormally upward, creating a highly uncommon situation that made routine fertility procedures extremely difficult. During an initial hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive procedure used to examine the uterus, doctors discovered that the cervix was positioned so high that the hysteroscope could not reach the intended area. Despite repeated attempts over nearly an hour, proceeding further could have resulted in severe complications including bladder rupture or bowel injury. Prioritising patient safety, the team decided to stop the procedure and reassess the treatment approach.
Dr Mannan Gupta, Chairperson & HOD, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Elantis Healthcare, New Delhi, said, “This is among the rarest cases I have encountered in my career. We attempted hysteroscopy for nearly an hour, but due to the unusual position of the cervix, the procedure could not be completed safely. Continuing further would have exposed the patient to serious risks such as bladder rupture or bowel injury. In such situations, patient safety always comes first, and sometimes stopping a procedure is the best clinical decision. Cases like these require careful planning, precision, and a highly individualised approach rather than routine treatment.”
Advanced Imaging and Surgical Planning
Following the initial assessment, doctors advised advanced imaging through MRI to better understand the altered anatomy before proceeding with a specialised laparoscopy-guided hysteroscopy, a more advanced approach designed to safely access the uterus in complex cases. After completion of the procedure, the patient will be given a recovery period of approximately one month before undergoing IVF treatment. Doctors remain optimistic that with this personalised treatment pathway, the patient’s chances of successful conception can improve significantly over the next two to three months.
Dr Mannan further added, “The patient came to India specifically seeking a solution for this problem, highlighting both the complexity of her condition and the confidence international patients place in specialised fertility care here. After detailed imaging and laparoscopy-guided hysteroscopy, we plan to proceed with IVF. While such rare cases require patience and multiple stages of intervention, we are hopeful that the patient will be able to conceive successfully. Every infertility journey is unique, and advanced reproductive medicine allows us to address even highly uncommon challenges.”
Understanding Secondary Infertility
Medical experts note that secondary infertility, the inability to conceive after previously having a child, is often overlooked, as many couples assume a prior successful pregnancy guarantees future conception. However, anatomical changes, complications from previous deliveries, age-related factors, and other reproductive issues can contribute to infertility later in life. Specialists emphasise that timely evaluation and customised treatment strategies are essential, especially in complex cases, to improve reproductive outcomes and preserve hope for parenthood.
