Infertility
Infertility* is defined as ‘the persistent inability to conceive a child’. But what does “persistent” refer to? Six months, one year, five/ten years, a lifetime? Many times, a couple will be considered to have fertility issues if they are unable to conceive after one year.
The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) quotes ‘Of the approximately 62 million women of reproductive age in 2002, about 1.2 million, or 2%, had an infertility-related medical appointment within the previous year, and 10% had an infertility-related medical visit at some point in the past.’**
Talk to anyone of childbearing age, and it seems much higher than 10%. I cannot believe how often I hear another story of someone I grew up with or went to school with who is going through IVF, has adopted, or lost a pregnancy. I actually tried to do my own study to see percentages, and I think I could count only three or four women/couples of at least forty that have not gone through some heartache with trying to have a baby.
The statistics can help you see that you are not alone, but if you are in that 10%, they really don’t offer much else. I fall within that 10%, and I can tell you firsthand that it is one of the most difficult things to go through in life. So what do you do? Where do you turn?
I am not a doctor, nor am I a nurse. I cannot offer any medical advice on how to get pregnant or how to carry a healthy baby to term. I can help with resources on where to begin, or where to go now, and I can try to help ease the pain.
I am a family counselor. I have a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I am also a mother to a beautiful nine year old that was born after pregnancy losses and surgeries. She was the product of my first marriage. I am a stepmother to a twenty year old, my husband’s son. My husband and tried for some time to conceive a child, our first together, and after fertility treatments, were blessed with twin boys, now three. And only fourteen months later, we were surprised by our litle ray of sunshine, who is now two. I understand infertility, I understand secondary infertility, and I understand pregnancy loss… all too well. And I understand success after heartache in my four miracles.
I am very sorry that you ended up on this page of my site, for chances are that means that you understand this as well. I do hope that my links, articles, resources and items listed here can be helpful to you.
Please also keep in mind that I am available for both online and telephone counseling, should you ever need someone to talk to. See below for more info.
Jennifer Nevadomski, MS
Helpful Information
From the March of Dimes:
Books
Taking Charge of Your Fertility
If you like the book, try the Ovulation Software
- Charting Software
If you need someone to talk to, please remember that I am a family counselor and I am hear to listen. I can be reached online or by telephone. If I am not available, schedule an appointment where we can talk.
*infertility. (n.d.). The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Retrieved August 24, 2007, from http://www.dictionary.com
**Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved July 18, 2007 from http://www.cdc.gov/ART/index.htm
