Infertility Statistics

As National Infertility Week is coming to an end, here are some facts you may not know about infertility:

• Infertility is a disease that affects the normal function of the male or female reproductive system.
• Infertility is defined as the inability of a couple to conceive a pregnancy after trying to do so for at least one full year.
• 7.3 million people in the US are affected by infertility – representing 1 in 8 couples and 12% of  the reproductive age population.
• 1/3 of infertility cases can be attributed to the female, 1/3 to the male and the remaining 1/3 to both the female and male.
• Following intercourse on the most fertile day in their cycle, women between the ages of 27 and 34 with no fertility issues present,  have a 40% chance of getting pregnant.
• 90% of couples will conceive within 1 year of trying.
• 25% of infertile couples have more than one factor that contributes to their infertility.
• An estimated 20% of infertility cases are unexplained.
• Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures.
• Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) treatments for infertility include intrauterine insemination (IUI), gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) and in-vitro fertilization (IVF).

Sources: American Society of Reproductive Medicine, National Women’s Health Resource Center

 

National Infertility Awareness Week

This week, April 22-28 is National Infertility Awareness Week.

via

Please take a moment to find out more about this heartbreaking disease. Having a child should be one of the most natural things in the world... but it's not, for many.


What IF (www.theinfertilityvoice.com).

One of the most scary things about dealing with infertility is having to live without children... happily. But what IF we stop living in fear and start living as advocates. Infertility is real--and needs to be acknowledged in the medical world. We need coverage. We need help. We need to find answers to this disease.

If you are among the 1 in 8 like us, please know you're not alone! Help inform others (of course, when you are ready). From personal experience, when I opened up and let others know about our infertility the more others came out of the woodwork. I'd get emails, facebook messages, and even had conversations in a baby retail shop (my ironic part time job!) with complete strangers. It's allowed me to validate my feelings with others going through the same thing, and to know that I'm not in this dark place alone. We can offer support to each other and information to people who have no clue infertility exists!

If you are not struggling with this disease--please help spread the word about infertility, and support someone you know going through it. Remember, as someone struggling with infertility, we don't need advice about our fertility but rather, we just need someone to listen. Someone who will be an advocate for us in times we can't even do that ourselves. Inform yourselves, inform others.

Here's a few great links--
Don't Ignore Someone You Know
Resolve: The National Infertility Association
American Fertility Association
Fertility within Reach: Become Your Own Best Advocate
Fertile HOPE (LIVESTRONG)

And of course... check out more of my pins on Pinterest board: Infertility thoughts & hopes!

I can make a difference. You can make a difference. Get the word out. Be aware.

April is just... bittersweet.

This was us 9 months ago.
Happy.
Excited.
Prepared.
Blessed.
Eager.
Surprised.
Thinking that April 10 was forever away!


This month we were going to be parents. Our dream of finally starting a family was supposed to come true.

So, please, don't mind the grumpiness. Or the quietness and wanting to keep to myself this month.

On the bright side, here's what has been accomplished in the last 9 months that have been positive:
-new job in a school!
-losing 12 lbs!
-the bathroom makeover
-starting an infertility support group through our church (still in the works!)
-paying debt
-building a stronger relationship with the hubs
-becoming tan (which in turn, boosts the confidence!) (ok, it really was for the wedding but I'm definitely enjoying the tan look)
and...
-putting in our paperwork for fostering.

Monday night will be another happy time as I am off to Florida for my sister's wedding! Hello sunshine, hello pool, hello family. Looking forward to dressing up for a date night or two with the hubs! It will be a much needed break from life in the fast lane.