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Posts Tagged ‘Truth’

Communication is key to keeping union strong during fertility treatments

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

When couples show up at our clinic for their first appointment regarding fertility treatments, they bring a united front. They hold hands. They look at each other lovingly, excitedly. They are hopeful for the future they are working toward together. 

 Although undergoing fertility treatments is in itself a testament to the strength and future of a partnership, the actual process can emotionally wear down even the strongest couple. It is a strenuous process that can sometimes include setbacks, frustrations and fears. It’s difficult for partners to put into words their own fears because they don’t want to let down their partner.

It’s important to focus on this truth, that undergoing fertility treatments can bond you in ways you never dreamed possible. It has the ability to bolster your relationship and allow you to discover new strengths about each other. The key to making that happen is communication. Don’t be afraid to express to your partner your concerns, your doubts, your fears and most especially your hopes and dreams. Talk about what is happening to both of you, regardless of which one of you is undergoing the physical treatment at the moment. Remember that this is a journey you are both on together. Don’t lose sight of that!

 

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Adopting a Child Won’t Reverse Infertility

Friday, September 2nd, 2011

If you’ve had difficulty getting pregnant, you’ve likely heard this one over and over:

“Just adopt a baby! Then, you’ll get pregnant right away… it happened to my [fill-in-the-blank]!”

While that type of story makes for great anecdotes, it isn’t statistically proven, nor is it something to count on if you’re struggling with infertility.

The truth is that infertility is a medical, not a social, condition. Though outside influences can have effects on whether or not a female can easily have a child, those influences do not include adopting.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with looking into adoption; in fact, we recommend it for the right couples who have the correct attitude about the process. However, it’s important to recognize that adoption isn’t the answer if you’re only doing it so you can somehow “reverse” your fertility issues. Doing so can lead to:

  • Added stress thanks to the burden you’ve put upon yourselves in setting up unrealistic hopes based on the adoption myth.
  • Discontent if you do not become pregnant after adopting a child.
  • Negative decisions based on misinformation.

Again, there’s no reason not to look into adoption, but make sure you always do it for the right reasons. Infertility can’t be reversed by adopting a child, but it can often be overcome with scientifically proven methods such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) and intrauterine insemination (IUI).

 

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5 Signs of Potential Fertility Issues

Wednesday, January 5th, 2011

Unless you’ve struggled to have a child naturally, it can be tough to understand why couples don’t “automatically” realize they are having a fertility issue.  The truth is, though, that many people simply don’t always recognize infertility.

 

Below, we’ve put together 5 common signs that you or your partner is having or is at risk of having fertility issues.  Remember that these aren’t all-inclusive; you may have other symptoms and should always ask your physician if you have any concerns about your reproductive health

 

1.  The Woman Doesn’t Menstruate

 

A lack of menstruation usually means little to no ovulation.  Thus, there is no egg to be fertilized.

 

2.  The Man Cannot Ejaculate

 

Though there has been some research indicating that pre-ejaculatory fluid may contain a small amount of semen, it’s unlikely that a woman will get pregnant if her partner cannot fully ejaculate.

 

3.  No Conception within a Year of Trying

 

If partners have been having sex 2-3 times per week (especially during ovulation) and there has been no conception, there may be a fertility issue.

 

4.  The Female Partner is Extremely Overweight or Underweight

 

Conception is made more difficult if one of the partners has a weight problem.  Excessively overweight woman and excessively underweight women often have reproductive health issues as a result.

 

5.  A History of STDs or Cancer

 

People who have had STDs or cancer are at higher risk for fertility issues. 

Again, you should consult with your own doctor to learn more about the factors that may affect your ability to conceive on your own.

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Menstruation Not a Predictor of Fertility

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

Many women have been taught to believe that as long as they menstruate, they should be able to become pregnant.  But in reality, nothing could be further from the truth, as fertility and menstruation do not necessarily go hand-in-hand.

What’s the problem?  Well, there could be several that would affect fertility, such as:

  • Irregular Periods.  This can be caused by any number of issues, including not ovulating on a regular cycle.  No or infrequent ovulation makes getting pregnant incredibly difficult, especially if couples are trying to “time” the conception.
  • Periods That Aren’t Periods.  Sometimes, what looks like a period really isn’t one at all and could actually be “spotting”.  And frequent spotting should always be investigated by an OB/GYN to ensure that there isn’t a serious problem.
  • Ovulation at Unusual Times.  For some women, ovulation doesn’t take place when it’s “supposed” to (e.g., midway through a menstrual cycle.)  This makes it tough to predict the most fertile time of the month for a female.

If you have been having difficulty getting pregnant, it’s time to see a fertility specialist.  Even if you’re getting a period, it’s not an indicator that you “should” be able to get pregnant without any concerns. 

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Don’t Let Fear Stop You from Addressing Your Fertility Concerns

Saturday, January 23rd, 2010

It’s kind of ironic — plenty of couples struggling with fertility issues hesitate to get any help with their fertility concerns. 

Their fears come in a number of different varieties.  Below are four of the most common reasons for not contacting a reproductive health specialist:

  • Knowing means having to address.  For some people, the reality of knowing what’s wrong will mean they’ll have to address those facts… and that can be tough for certain personality types.
  • A worry about cost.  The media has made it seem as if all fertility treatments are expensive; however, this isn’t the case.  There are many avenues to conception that are extremely economical.  It all depends on your particular situation.
  • Fear of retribution from a partner.  Women and men who are struggling with infertility may have a fear that a partner will be accusatory of it’s discovered that they are the “source” of the problem.  While this is not always a founded fear, if you are in a relationship where you are too scared of your partner to uncover the truth, you would be wise to undergo a serious amount of couples counseling to work on your partnership before embarking on a journey to have children.
  • Confusion about how to start.  Luckily, this is an easy solution — simply pick up the phone and contact a reputable clinic like RSI.  It’s really that straightforward.

Don’t allow the unknown to keep you from addressing your fertility concerns.  Remember that it’s always better to have all the facts than to languish in the dark.

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