The Emotional Plight of Infertility: We Have to Help Each Other

***W E ▪ H A V E ▪ T O ▪ H E L P ▪ E A C H▪ O T H E R!***

Welcome back to Day 5! Today we are going to give you some practical tips that can help you stay mentally strong.

1️⃣ Know that it is normal to have sad and disappointed feelings. This is not something to feel guilty about, but rather a normal response to a real problem. Allow yourself to express your emotions.

2️⃣ Getting mentally connected and understood is a huge step toward healthy coping. Find a friend to confide in. If you have not yet told anybody but your partner about your struggle, you need to! Even if that person has not undergone infertility, they are now on the journey with you.

3️⃣ Find a support group. Whether online or locally, this will allow you to hear of what other couples are going through or went through and will validate your emotions. It will make you feel less isolated and will empower you with knowledge.

4️⃣ Journaling. This has been shown to provide clarity of thought as to what you are feeling. It will allow you to understand yourself even more.

5️⃣ Exercise. If you do not already have one, pick up a regular exercise routine. You will find that your hyper-focus on fertility can be re-directed toward a workout, and your stress greatly reduced as a byproduct.

Technology has come a long way to help couples reach their pregnancy goals so that there is much hope for those struggling. The above are just a few tips that may help couples feel less lonely and endure the emotional roller coaster of infertility. Our infertility clinic is also designed to personally assist you through this tough time. Don’t hesitate to call us at 256-217-9613 if we can help! You can also visit our website at www.fertilityalabama.com .

Thank you for joining us this week! We hope you learned a lot and that you were able to share with a friend who may be going through these struggles.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Misdirected Expectations

***M I S D I R E C T E D ▪ E X P E C T A T I O N S***

Couples commonly have unrealistic expectations about how soon they should conceive. If there is a reason to think that there is a problem, professional help should absolutely be sought. But if there are no physical or historical reasons to explain why fertility may be difficult, where should a couple’s expectations lie? Most couples don’t realize:

✔ The average couple in their 20’s with no fertility disorder has around a 20% chance of conceiving each month with regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception.

✔ The overall chances of pregnancy after 1 year of regular random intercourse in the absence of contraception is approximately 80%.

✔ Infertility is the absence of a pregnancy after 1 year of trying to conceive with regular intercourse in the absence of contraception if you are less than 35 years old.

✔ If you are 35 years or older, infertility is the absence of pregnancy after only 6 months while still meeting the same criteria above.

✔ Approximately 10-15% of all couples in the United States struggle with infertility. That’s approximately 1 out of 8 couples!

? Join us back here tomorrow as we wrap up our event with *We Have to Help Each Other!
There is so much hope for those who are struggling. We’ll give you some tips that may help you feel less lonely and help you stay mentally strong on this journey. See you then!

 

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: The Strains on Intimacy

***T H E ▪ S T R A I N S ▪ O N ▪ I N T I M A C Y***

Welcome back! We hope you are learning a lot this week and we hope you are starting to realize that You Are Not Alone.?

In the magazine “Inside Medicine,” Dr. D writes about the strains on intimacy that can come as a result of a couple’s plight with infertility…

“During a couple’s struggle with infertility, it is very common to see sex become a chore rather than a show of intimacy. The mental association that a woman may develop between sex and failure may make it to where she is only interested in sex around the time of ovulation.

Conversely, misconceptions about the optimal frequency and timing of intercourse in order to conceive often results in couples having intercourse much more frequently than is even enjoyable for either of them.”

So there you have it. If you’ve been feeling this way, know that you are not alone. It is very common to have these struggles and there are so many other couples who are going through the exact same thing.

In fact, tomorrow we will discuss how common it really is, how many other couples are going through this, and what realistic expectations truly are when a couple is determining how soon they should conceive.

?Join us here tomorrow to learn more about *Misdirected Expectations.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: Reactions of Men vs. Women

***R E A C T I O N S ▪ O F ▪ M E N ▪ V S. ▪W O M E N***

Dr. D shares some general observations from his daily clinical encounters with couples:

“In general, men and women deal with infertility in different ways. It has been shown that women are quicker to become distressed about infertility than their male partner, and often struggle with jealousy when another person around them conceives. My experience supports this data.

Additionally, both men and women tend to have lowered self-esteem if the diagnosis or perception of the problem is related to his/her body, respectively. Men frequently even deny that they could be a contributing factor until it has been demonstrated to them objectively.

All of these differences place a strain on the ability of a couple to empathize with one another appropriately during a time that they desperately need each other’s support.”

As you can see, both men and women are affected emotionally and physically on this journey. Opening the lines of communication, being honest, and supporting each other is such an important part of the fertility journey.

?Join us back here tomorrow as we discuss *The Strains on Intimacy.

The Emotional Plight of Infertility: You Are Not Alone

All this week on our blog, we will be discussing a topic that you have probably been wondering about but perhaps haven’t discussed with anyone because it isn’t easy to talk about, especially when you don’t know anyone else who is having the same struggles.

But we are here to tell you that You Are Not Alone.?

***T H E ▪ L O N E L I N E S S ▪ O F ▪ I N F E R T I L I T Y***

“My husband and I have stopped using birth control. Why aren’t we getting pregnant?”

This is a common sentiment that Dr. D encounters each week in the clinic as couples struggle with a roller coaster of emotions.

It comes natural for most to dream of a future with children. Because conception is a natural expectation it becomes quite frustrating and disappointing when plans do not become reality on demand.

Many couples will uniquely relay the heartaches of a lonely struggle. As they are surrounded by friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who conceive easily, the frequent refrain is “what’s wrong with me?” The struggle all too often becomes personal. Many approach fertility with unrealistic expectations, and still more lack an understanding of just how common infertility is.

For most couples, attempting to conceive a child is a very intimate process that is clothed in privacy…and rightly so. But because of the quiet nature of this process, those who are unable to voluntarily conceive often suffer in private as well. Infertility if spoken of far too seldom in our society, which makes those couples that are experiencing infertility feel as if they are on an island. Even more, the relationship between intimate partners is often greatly affected by infertility.

?Join us back here tomorrow as we discuss *The Reactions of Men vs. Women.

How Affordable Is This Really?

Oftentimes, couples are hesitant to proceed with looking into fertility testing and treatment because of the worry about cost. However, you may be surprised at all the options that are actually available to you financially.  

Let’s take a look at some of the different categories of services and which financial options are available for each.

*Office Visits

At FINA, we will submit the charges for office visits, labs, ultrasounds, and procedures to your insurance company. However, for those services that are not covered by insurance, we try to make them as affordable to you as possible. In these cases, we bundle services together in order to discount the overall cost to you. Our staff will confirm what services are covered by your insurance, but we encourage all of our patients to verify their coverage as well.

If you do not have insurance or prefer that we do not file your fertility treatment with your insurance company, we offer cash pay packages for your visits. These packages are specific to the types of office visits, lab work, or procedures you may undergo. Our financial counselor will be happy to go over these costs with you.

*Medications

Fertility medications are sometimes paid for by insurance, but every policy is different. Our financial counselor will go over your coverage, if any, at the time you need medications.

Some local pharmacies carry fertility medications. However, these pharmacies may not offer the same discount as a mail-order pharmacy, but can oftentimes send your medications directly to your address overnight.

*Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)

Some insurances will offer partial or full coverage for IUI’s. If your insurance offers no coverage, we do have a cash package that will allow this option to become more cost efficient.

*In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) / INVOcell

As the need for more advanced therapies arises, we encourage you to double check with your insurance carrier to see which services are covered. In Alabama, only a limited number of insurance plans offer coverage for IVF or INVOcell. However, we do offer several packages along with financing resources for those patients without insurance coverage in order to make these options more affordable for you. Prior to proceeding with these services you will meet with our office manager to ensure your understanding of your options and costs.

Insurances Accepted at FINA:

+Blue Cross Blue Shield

+Cigna

+United Healthcare

+Aetna

+Humana

+Tricare

Raising Awareness for National Infertility Awareness Week

Raising Awareness during National Infertility Awareness Week April 21-27, 2019

It comes natural for most to dream of a future with children. Because conception is a natural expectation, it becomes quite frustrating and disappointing when plans do not become reality on demand. Many couples will uniquely relay the heartaches of a lonely struggle.

For most couples, attempting to conceive a child is a very intimate process that is clothed in privacy. But because of the quiet nature of this process, those who are unable to voluntarily conceive often suffer in private as well. Infertility is spoken of far too seldom in our society.

However, infertility is not uncommon. In fact, it occurs in 15% of all couples.

And infertility doesn’t discriminate. While it impacts people across gender, race and socio-economic class, access to treatment is even more difficult for those who lack insurance coverage or the economic means to pay for care out-of-pocket.

National Infertility Awareness Week 2019, April 21-27, is focused this year on removing the emotional and economic barriers to overcoming infertility.

How can you help raise awareness?

  • + Share your story. Not only can this help you cope with your feelings, but this may also help others who are experiencing the same struggles.
  • + Find a support group. Whether online or locally, this will allow you to hear of what other couples are going through or went through and will validate your emotions. It can help you feel less isolated and will empower you with knowledge.
  • + Offer your ear (and a hug) to a friend in need. Even if you aren’t on an infertility journey of your own, chances are someone close to you is. 
  • + Advocate with your employer. While more and more employers are discovering the value of adding infertility benefits to their offerings, many don’t. Plan a time to talk with leaders within your organization about the importance and value of adding these types of benefits.
  • + Support the work of an infertility advocacy group you trust. Advocacy groups help raise awareness, organize and advocate all year long. If you find that work valuable, lend your support by donating yourself or hosting a fundraiser.

For more information about scheduling a consultation with Dr. Davenport, please visit fertilityalabama.com or call us at 256-217-9613.

IVF or Tubal Reversal?

Tubal Reversal vs. IVF…Which is right for me?

Robotic tubal reversal, also called Reanastomosis, is a procedure for women who have had their tubes tied but now desire to conceive. So which is the right option? Should you keep your tubes tied and proceed with IVF (in vitro fertilization) in order to become pregnant, or should you have a tubal reversal instead? There are so many factors that go into the decision.

Certain things to consider are:

-Patient age

-Amount of good tube left

-Insurance coverage

-History of tubal disease

-Known pelvic scar tissue

-Future fertility plans

-Type of tubal ligation performed

-Other indications for IVF

Dr. Davenport believes strongly that each patient who has had a tubal ligation should be individualized when deciding the best method to conceive. We encourage you to find as much information as possible (including obtaining an operative report from the surgeon who tied your tubes) prior to your consultation.

Fertility 101

Have you ever wondered?…

  • What is infertility?
  • How many couples does this affect?
  • Does this affect females as well as males?
  • What are the odds of having a successful pregnancy if you’ve had recurrent miscarriages?
  • How do you know if it’s time to consult a doctor?

**Female Infertility**

You may be surprised at how many couples deal with these same struggles. In fact, infertility occurs in 15% of all couples.

So what exactly is infertility, and how do you know if this is something to take a further look into?

✔️If you are younger than 35 years old and have been trying for 1 year with no success of pregnancy

✔️If you are older than 35 and no pregnancy after 6 months of trying

The most common cause of female infertility is irregular or lack of ovulation. Therefore, the first step will be to ensure that you are ovulating predictably. If it is determined that you are not, your ovulation can be induced via medicine. If ovulation is confirmed, a thorough history and examination can be used to search for other causes.

Some of these issues could be:
+ Hypothalamic/Pituitary disorders
+ Tubal disease or dysfunction
+ Uterine defects (polyps or fibroids)
+ Uterine malformations
+ Endometriosis
+ Metabolic disorders

However, females aren’t the only ones who deal with infertility.

**Male Infertility**

In fact, 40-50% of all infertile couples will have some form of male factor infertility, with male factor being the sole cause in 30% of cases.

As a matter of fact, more cases of infertility are due to a male factor than any other single cause.

There are several different male issues that can be tested for.
+ Low sperm counts
+ Low motility
+ Poor morphology
+ DNA fragmentation
+ Immune-related
+ Metabolic disorders

If it is determined that any of these factors are an issue that you or your partner are struggling with, there is help available. Technology has come such a long way to help couples reach their pregnancy goals.

**Recurrent Miscarriages**
The definition of recurrent miscarriage, (aka recurrent pregnancy loss), is the loss of 2 or more clinically-recognized pregnancies involuntarily before 20 weeks.
A little known fact is that 15% of all clinically recognized pregnancies end in miscarriage. However, it is only 1-2% of all women who experience recurrent miscarriages. If you are in this small percentage of women, don’t lose hope! Even after 4 consecutive miscarriages, the chances that your next conception will be a live birth are at least 70%.✨
The various causes of recurrent miscarriages can be:

+ Hormonal abnormalities
+ Immune-related causes
+ Environmental factors
+ Uterine abnormalities
+ Female genetic abnormalities
+ Male genetic abnormalities
+ Infection or inflammation

Frustratingly, 50% of women never figure out the cause of their recurrent miscarriages. However, greater than 80% of these women will go on to have a live-born baby if they are appropriately counseled and receive psychological support.

There is so much hope for those struggling. In addition to the advances in technology that help couples reach their pregnancy goals, our infertility clinic is designed to personally assist you through this tough time. You do not have to take this journey alone.? Don’t hesitate to call us at 256-217-9613 if you are ready to talk with someone to see how we can help!

#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies

 

Happy Birthday to us!

In order to serve you better, we are excited to offer our newly-improved website along with our very own FINA blog! And what better time to launch our new blog than our birthday week?!!

Every year when the month of April rolls around, we are reminded of how blessed we are to be able to serve the people of Huntsville and the surrounding areas in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee. You guys are truly the BEST!

We would love to hear from you. What would you like to learn more about? Which topics interest you? We are aiming to make this blog something that is beneficial for you and  something that you’ll want to share with your family and friends. Let us know how we can best serve you!

We also want to take a minute to say Thank You to all of our friends and followers! The support you have shown to us through your reviews, Facebook and Instagram likes, comments, and messages has meant so much to us! Being able to serve you makes our job so rewarding, and we are blessed to be part of this community.❤️

For daily updates and to learn more about our events, make sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

#FINA #HelpingFamiliesBuildFamilies #HappyBirthdayFINA #Celebratewithus?