Help with infertility options...

[Anonymous]

Hello there moms to be...
I'm a nursing student at the local Community College in VA.
In our ethics class we're discussing the women's right to conceive.

I need a brief explanation of the options...

Adoption,
In vitro,
Surrogacy,
Egg donation,

all of them.

would you share your knowledge and experience?
I would like to know the procedure, a brief explanation on how it happens, the ups and downs while going through the procedure (physical/social/emotional aspects) and what was the result.

I came from a family of adoptive children... cousins, aunts, nieces all adopted so I don't really know too much about women trying to conceive.
Where I come from, adoption is for free so I don't either now how the procedure is in the US.

I'd appreciate your contribution to help me to become a better nurse.
I'll be happy to share the knowledge with my classmates during my presentation.

Thanks in advance

[Anonymous]

You might have a better chance of less snarkness at www.resolve.org, www.ovusoft.com or just Google it. There are plenty of websites out there for women trying to conceive or adopt - trying to build a family.

Personally, we have been trying to conceive for almost 4 years. I did consider adoption briefly after 2 years of failure, but gave up after finding out how expensive it was (international adoption) and some limitations because of my husband's age (in some countries there is a cut off). Adoption in the US seems pretty hard and very "competitive", so it is also expensive. Yes, I know adoption through the "system" is cheaper (even free) but again, there are a lot of couples wanting a newborn.

Also, some agencies (not sure if all agencies) do not let you apply if you are undergoing any kind of treatment to conceive, and I didn't want to give up having my "own" child. I must say that If I was in the process of adopting and got pregnant, I wouldn't cancel it - so I think that is bs from the agencies. Both children would be equally welcome.

I think how you build a family and to what lengths you go to it is a private matter. Infertility and the inability to conceive is one of the worst pains and challenges a couple can go through. You feel like if your body betrayed/failed you. You feel a complete sense of worthless and emptiness. It is hard to explain, you have to suffer to understand.

I don't think the "State" or no one for that matter, has the right to tell a woman (or couple) how many children they are "allowed" to have and if they are not able to conceive naturally they should "just adopt". Personally, I think what that woman from CA did was terrible (having 8 children after already having 6 at home), but to me, is not more terrible than the Doughar's of the world (18 children and counting - all conceived naturally).

However, I do think that the State can regulate how many embryos will be implanted in a IVF (depending on woman's age, not on HOW MANY CHILDREN SHE HAS ALREADY), or when an IUI cycle should be cancelled because of too many follies.

Good luck in your studies.

[Anonymous]

PP again: Just to clarify, I think the State has the right to regulate how many embryos will be implanted in an IVF only because it is a matter of public health concern - pregnancy of multiples is high risk and the care for preemies is not only extremely expensive, but can also result in a life of extreme disabilities/challenges for those poor children.

[Anonymous]

"I think the State has the right to regulate how many embryos will be implanted in an IVF only because it is a matter of public health concern"

Seriously? Well, if we follow your logic, states should also prohibit women who have had pre-eclampsia from having any more children, because having it once makes one's next pregnancy high risk and the care for preemies born early due to pre-eclampsia is very expensive. And states should also prohibit women who have had one preemie from having any more children, because the risk of having another preemie is too high and would be too expensive. Oh, and while we're at it, let's prohibit any woman who has had more than two c-sections from having any more children, because once you have two c-sections subsequent pregnancies become more high risk. And we should also put a limit on the number of pregnancies any woman can have, because the more pregnancies a woman has the greater the risk for pelvic floor prolapse issues, which costs money to repair and treat.

Shall I go on? Just because one women did something stupid doesn't mean that every other infertile women in this country seeking treatment should restricted from having the most effective medical treatment that is right for her.

[Anonymous]

You need to do your own homework.