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Infertility
When you decide to have a baby, it's natural
to think it's going to be easy. We spend so much of
our adult life trying to avoid pregnancy
that frequently we're surprised when we don't immediately
get pregnant the first time there's a chance we might.
So there's the first month of "trying"
where you handle the disappointment well... and then
the second month. And the third. And fourth. And nothing's
happening. And you're starting to feel pretty sure that
it never will.
No matter what the problem is (e.g., male
infertility, endometriosis, PCOS), today there are more
solutions than ever before.
Some solutions include IUI, IVF,
ICSI, sperm
donation, egg
donation, embryo
adoption, surrogacy
and adoption.
It is important to get as much information
as possible when you're going through infertility.
When you first go to a fertility specialist,
you will probably be sent for several tests. These tests
are performed to try to identify a physical problem
if one exists.
Here are some ideas on how to cope with
infertility:
1. Decide who you're going to
share the information with -- only your partner?
Your parents? Both sets? Close friends? (Read our article
on Keeping Your
Marriage Together During Infertility).
2. Get information. What are the exact
procedures you're going to go through? What tests will
help the doctors know what the best thing to do is?
What are the side effects of the medication? How long
will the cycle take?
3. Pamper yourself. Think about things
that you will do that will be good for you -- a long
bath, a manicure, a new novel...
4. Remember the world. The world goes
on while your world seems to be standing still as you
wait to have a successful fertility treatment that will
lead to your baby. Make sure to do the things that you
want to look back upon -- continue your education, advance
your career, strengthen your relationship with your
spouse...
5. Make post-treatment plans. What
are you going to do after the cycle? Go away on a vacation?
Go out to a special dinner? Invite over a few friends?
Plan things that you will do regardless of the cycle's
outcome. (Believe me, if you've got to cancel later
because you're pregnant, people will understand :-))
We welcome you to read our fertility
stories.
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