It goes without saying that infertility can be a heartbreaking issue for the thousands of couples it affects each year. What seems like such a natural process can quickly turn into a nightmarish process of testing, medications, ultrasounds, injections, and sometimes even surgery. For the couple going through it, the process is confusing, scary, and incredibly unfair. Having a good doctor and fertility clinic to help you medically is only the beginning.
You must also be thoroughly equipped for everything that this process has to offer. You should find simple things you can do at home to boost your own fertility before getting to the clinic, find alternative methods that can help you relax, and establish a strong support system you can lean on during times of stress and challenge. All of these elements are absolutely essential to successfully navigating the world of infertility treatment.
Without having the essential information, an already difficult process can be made even more so. Understanding what is about to happen can help you both take control over your fertility and use the vast amount of information out there to find something that works for you. There are a number of ways that you can help boost your own inherent fertility — diet, herbal supplements, yoga, and acupuncture have all been reported as methods that will help your body conceive a pregnancy.
There are also a good number of techniques you can use at home, before consulting with a specialist. Did you know that your body temperature can be a powerful tool in helping you detect your most fertile time? Or that a simple urine dipstick available at most pharmacies can help you better time when you should have intercourse to conceive? These simple techniques can help you avoid seeing a doctor all together.
As technology is evolving and couples are talking about their struggles more, there has been an explosion of information and resources available both on the Internet and through your doctor's office. Chances are good you even know somebody who is going through the very same thing.
It is vital that you use the available information to help guide your treatment. You are not at the mercy of your physician; getting the information for yourself and advocating for your care is essential. It also helps you work with your doctor in a productive manner to get you to your ultimate goal — a child.
Use the information in this book to help you navigate this unfamiliar terrain. Have an understanding of what is out there, what your options are, and what you feel comfortable with, and know that not every treatment protocol is right for everyone. This field is ripe with ethical debates — genetic screening, egg donation, international surrogacy — and the topics that are encompassed in reproductive technology would make an ethicist's head spin. That being said, you should only do what is right for you and your family.
The good news is that most couples do end up fulfilling their dream of having a child at some point over the course of their treatment. She may not be their biological child or genetic offspring, but she is still their child, regardless of how she came into their lives. If you find yourselves in the unfortunate position where having your own child is no longer an option, there are a number of resources at the end of this book that can help you determine if adoption or fostering a child is right for you. There is also information about finding satisfaction in living your life without children.