Building A Family Is Possible Thanks To ART
There is a growing need in the world for family planning support. In the past, the only option for having a biological child was natural conception. Now, thanks to assisted reproductive technologies (ART), there are ways to support a more flexible approach to parenthood. ART refers to a series of medical procedures used to help conceive a child. The procedures, like in vitro fertilization (IVF), create embryos that can then be implanted to increase the chances of pregnancy. Choosing ART is a difficult decision. However, there are 3 reasons why these options can be ideal for building a family.
1. Treating severe infertility challenges
Infertility occurs when an individual or couple is unable to conceive naturally after at least 6 months of trying. Statistics show that up to 15% of American couples are infertile. The condition impacts men and women equally, with some cases being unexplained. A series of tests can reveal a severe underlying reason for infertility. For instance, cancer treatment, autoimmune conditions, or sexually transmitted infections can lead to infertility. Some men have an extremely low sperm count or poor sperm quality. Women can struggle with a range of issues, including endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), or fallopian tube damage. These conditions, and much more, can benefit from ART.
2. ART supports hopeful LGBTQ+ parents
Same-sex and transgender couples had no real avenue to family building. Medical limitations, stigmas, and legal and cultural barriers all prevented LGBTQ+ parenthood. ART now allows same-sex couples to conceive and raise children. The procedure can allow couples to have a biological link to the child. For instance, using donor eggs or sperm, same-sex couples can have children. Some lesbian and transgender couples are trying reciprocal IVF, allowing each member to immerse in the process. Surrogacy, where a woman carries the child for the intended parent, also falls under the ART umbrella. With ART, building diverse families is now possible.
3. Preserving your future family
Women and men are now choosing to start families later in life. Many are busy building careers and businesses or traveling. Some have yet to find the perfect partner to start a family. Societal issues like inflation and acess to certain services deter couples from having children. The challenge lies in the fact that fertility declines with age. Women experience a diminished ovarian reserve, with egg quality declining significantly over time. Men also experience health challenges that damage sperm health. By cryopreserving sperm or eggs at a younger age, these individuals can use ART when the time and conditions are right.
Understanding your ART options
When someone chooses ART, various procedures are available based on the specific circumstance. Intrauterine insemination (IUI), for instance, medically transfers a prepared sperm sample into the woman’s cervix to increase pregnancy rates. IVF is considered the gold standard of ART techniques. The process takes egg and sperm samples from the intended parents to create multiple embryos. One or more embryos are then transferred to the woman’s uterus. Some additional strategies include intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), where a single sperm is used to create an embryo. The agreed-upon fertility clinic will discuss the best methods based on individual circumstances.
Embrace fertility treatment as a path to parenthood
ART has quickly become an acceptable strategy in helping to conceive a child. The primary use is to support those with infertility challenges. However, ART can also be vital for the LGBTQ+ community or those looking to delay pregnancy. The techniques are also rapidly evolving. Scientists are constantly coming up with strategies to improve efficiency and success rates. As the demand for reproductive support increases, ART will be a cornerstone of the journey to parenthood.