Infertility affects millions of couples around the world and it’s one of the hardest things to come to terms with.
When you and your partner want a child of your own, being unable to conceive can be heart-breaking. It can feel like the world is against you and you might feel like you will never be able to start your own family.
However, this is definitely not the case. There are now several options for infertile couples who want to raise a child. Every method has its own benefits and learning about each one will help you to discover the most suitable option.
It is important to note that, regardless of the method that you choose, having a strong support network is vital. Fertility treatment can be a long road and being able to confide in others will make the process less emotionally taxing. You can gain support from the fertility clinic, and your friends and family.
Here are three options for you and your partner to consider when you want to start a family:
Surrogacy
Getting a surrogate is a great option if you are unable to carry a baby yourself. Once you have found the perfect surrogate mother, you can begin the exciting process.
To create an embryo, the egg and sperm from you and your partner will be combined in a petri dish. For same-sex couples, an embryo will be created with donor egg or sperm. The embryo will then be transferred into the surrogate’s uterus for implantation.
The surrogate mother will carry the baby to term and give birth so that you can raise your child and become the amazing parents that you have always wanted to be.
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is one of the most commonly used fertility techniques. It involves harvesting egg and sperm cells from each couple in the partnership.
The eggs are fertilized with sperm to create multiple embryos. The healthiest embryo will be transferred into the woman’s uterus where it can implant into the uterine wall.
After implantation, the embryo will grow into a fetus as it would during a naturally conceived pregnancy. Same-sex couples undergoing IVF will need either an egg or sperm donor, and potentially a surrogate.
The general process of IVF is as follows:
- Suppression of the woman’s natural menstrual cycle using medications
- Stimulation of the ovaries to create and extra eggs and release multiple eggs at once
- The development and release of the eggs will be monitored using ultrasound scans
- Several eggs will be retrieved through a small needle that gets inserted into the ovaries
- The eggs are fertilised with sperm and one or two successfully created embryos or transferred into the uterine lining
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
When male infertility is the issue in a partnership, Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) may be used.
During this fertility technique, a single sperm cell is injected into a retrieved egg to fertilize it and create an embryo. Multiple eggs and sperm cells may be used to maximize the chances of successful embryo creation.
The healthy embryos are inserted into the uterine wall where they can implant and grow into a healthy fetus. The woman will carry the baby to term and give birth as normal.
