Infertility is a problem that affects more than 10% of reproductive-age couples. If you and your partner have been trying to conceive for a long time without success, it might be a good idea to see a fertility doctor to determine what the problem is. Your doctor will carry out a number of tests on both you and your partner to determine the nature of the problem so that he/she can advise you on the best way forward. Below are some of your options explained in detail.
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Intrauterine insemination
Intrauterine insemination is the introduction of a man’s sperm into a woman’s uterus. This can be done about 40 hours after natural ovulation, and this is known as unstimulated intrauterine insemination. Alternatively, it can be done after the woman is given a drug to stimulate the production of eggs, and this is known as stimulated intrauterine insemination. This is a great solution for couples that are unable to conceive due to ovulation issues in the woman. If a woman has problems with ovulation, it can be very difficult to time sexual intercourse to increase the chances of fertilization taking place. Intrauterine insemination is also a great solution if the couple is unable to conceive because of sperm problems or unexplained infertility.
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Fertility drugs
After determining the reason for your inability to conceive, your fertility doctor may prescribe fertility pills to increase the levels of certain hormones in the body in order to facilitate fertilization. This is a great option for women who rarely ovulate or who ovulate irregularly. The fertility drugs will stimulate ovulation and therefore make it possible for fertilization to take place.
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Adoption or surrogate parenting
If it has been determined that you cannot conceive, or if you prefer not to go for fertility treatment because it is not a guarantee that you will be able to conceive after the treatment (which can be quite expensive), you can consider adoption or surrogate parenting. Consult a family lawyer to help you through the adoption process if you choose to adopt a child.
Surrogate parenting is advantageous as the child will still be your biological child. It is therefore a great option if you can produce viable eggs and your partner can produce viable sperm but you are unable to conceive or carry a pregnancy to term for one reason or the other. A surrogate will often be a relative or a close friend who has agreed to carry your child for you. However, note that surrogacy is not legal in some countries and you may therefore have to travel abroad if it is illegal in your country. You can also pay someone to carry your baby for you. Surrogacy can get complicated because of the legal issues involved. For instance, the surrogate may change their mind and want to keep the child. You need to be sure that the child born will be legally yours to avoid any problems. Therefore, it is best to consult with a family lawyer to help you with this process.
