One in eight US couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility — the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth. It is a difficult journey both physically and psychologically in a couple’s quest to conceive. To bring awareness to the struggles of infertility, April 20 through April 26 is designated National Infertility Awareness Week.
SIU HealthCare is marking the week with special events at the SIU Fertility and IVF Center, which is celebrating five years of treating infertility issues in both women and men. In the last five years, more than 1,500 couples have been served by the Center, and approximately 750 babies have been born to patients of the Center.
“Our goal is to help women and men find answers and get the support they need to make important medical decisions and address the medical, emotional, social and economic challenges infertility can present,” said Dr. Ricardo Loret de Mola, medical director of the SIU Fertility and IVF Center and chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
National Infertility Awareness Week® was founded by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association to promote greater awareness about infertility. SIU hopes to begin a support group for couples suffering from infertility. Contact Loretta Mabie at 217-545-8000 (lmabie@siumed.edu) if you are interested in helping the effort.
A few quick facts about infertility:
- Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures. (RESOLVE)
- Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF). (RESOLVE)
- 12% of married women have trouble getting pregnant or sustaining pregnancy. (2006-2010 National Survey of Family Growth, CDC)
- A couple ages 29-33 with a normal functioning reproductive system has only a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month (National Women’s Health Resource Center).
An event is planned at SIU to raise awareness of infertility:
Monday, April 21 – Anniversary Reception – Patients, potential patients and families are invited to attend from 5-7:30 pm at Simmons Cancer Institute at SIU, 315 W. Carpenter St. in Springfield. Learn how SIU’s Center helped local news anchor Stacy Skrysak and her family journey through infertility, pregnancy and the realization of their family dream. Members of a local support organization will speak about developing a support group for families suffering from infertility. RESOLVE®: The National Infertility Association will provide additional information about developing a support group for patients and families struggling with infertility.
The SIU Fertility and IVF Center opened in 2009 to provide a comprehensive approach to finding solutions for infertile couples. The Center provides evaluation and treatment options for both women and men. Team members include faculty and staff from OB/GYN and urology, psychologists, geneticists and licensed dieticians.
Resources:
http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/home-page.html