Every day people with infertility are asking real and important questions. “Why me?” “How can we afford this?” “Why don’t you understand?” National Infertility Awareness Week encouraged people to #StartAskingEmployers for insurance coverage.
- Your lawmakers and legislators to support issues important to the infertility community.
- Friends and family to support you.
- The media to cover infertility and the real challenges we all face.
- Your partner to get involved.
- Those who have resolved their infertility to stay involved.
- OB/GYN or healthcare provider to talk about YOUR reproductive health.
- For affordable care for treatment of a disease.
- Legal access to all family building options nationwide.
- About men’s reproductive health
Why is it so difficult to start a conversation going about infertility?
Infertility
is something that most couples don’t discuss openly with others. It’s
scary and unfamiliar territory. Some couples feel embarrassed that they
are struggling. If only they knew they were not alone, as 1 in every 8
couples struggle with getting pregnant and sustaining a pregnancy. Its
difficult to start a conversation about infertility since there are so
many fears of the unknown. Why are we struggling to conceive? Is it the
female or male factor? What is the reason? Will we ever conceive and
how?
What are some important questions women need to ask their doctors?
It
is important for women to seek a fertility specialist if they are
having trouble conceiving. Women should be open and honest with their
Reproductive Endocrinologist about their journey and current health. Ask
your doctor for labs to be ordered to properly evaluate your ovarian
reserve, in addition to diagnostic procedures to take a look at the
uterus to make sure a viable pregnancy can take place. Women should
involve their partner in the meeting. For many years it was always
thought that infertility was strictly associated with the female, but
now, it is estimated that nearly half of infertility cases can be caused
by male infertility. Having your doctor order a semen analysis can be
very informative in evaluating your infertility.
How can family and friends support people with infertility?
Infertility
can be very stressful to a person. Its important that family members
and friends stay positive and supportive. Enjoying time with them and
scheduling activities to lower their stress and worries has a positive
impact on them. Even things to keep their minds busy. Treatment can be
time consuming with appointments. If friends and family can help with
basic tasks to alleviate those stressors, patients would gain from this.
Maybe cooking a meal for them, doing a few errands, or helping them
with a household duty. Anything to alleviate outside stressors.
Practicing
in California since 1990, Dr. Jane Frederick is an internationally noted
specialist in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility. She is the Medical Director of HRC Fertility
in Orange County, where she developed a diverse clinical practice in reproductive
surgery, IVF, and the genetic screening of embryos. Dr. Frederick is board certified in both
Reproductive Endocrinology/Infertility and Obstetrics/Gynecology from the
University of Southern California. A
renowned speaker, Dr. Frederick has educated medical colleagues in the area of
fertility preservation, and age and reproductive issues with numerous
publications. She has held many posts
with organizations active in the advancement of reproductive medicine including
the Pacific Coast Reproductive Society (Past President), and the American
Society of Reproductive Medicine. Dr.
Frederick has received a variety of honors for her outstanding work in the
field, and recently ranked among the top 10% in the nation from U.S. News and
World Report. In addition, Dr. Frederick has been featured in a number of TV
and media outlets such as E!’s, Total Divas, KTLA Morning News, ChicagoLand TV,
an US Weekly Magazine
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