Help through the journey of infertility

fertility coupleOne in eight US couples of childbearing age is diagnosed with infertility — the inability to carry a pregnancy to live birth. That translates to tens of thousands of couples in Illinois suffering from infertility.
The SIU Fertility and IVF Center recently celebrated five years of treating infertility issues in both women and men. More than 1,500 couples have been served by the Center in this time, and approximately 750 babies have been born to patients of the Center. Team members at the Center include faculty and staff from ob/gyn and urology, psychologists, geneticists and licensed dieticians, providing men and women with evaluation and treatment options.
“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 SIU ob/gyn Dr. Ricardo Loret de Mola, medical director of the SIU Fertility and IVF Center.

A few quick facts about infertility:

  • Approximately 85-90% of infertility cases are treated with drug therapy or surgical procedures.
  • Fewer than 3% need advanced reproductive technologies like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
  • 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 to celebrate with those who have become parents with the help of SIU’s IVF Center and to allow others to meet the team that could help them through their infertility journey.
When: Sunday, September 7
Where: Erin’s Pavillion at Southwind Park, 4965 S. 2nd Street in Springfield
Time: 3-6 pm
Light refreshments will be served.
Read an article here about SIU’s Fertility and IVF Center. http://www.siumed.edu/pubs/aspects/37-3/feature3.html
Resources: http://www.resolve.org/national-infertility-awareness-week/home-page.html
www.siumed.edu/fertility

-rb