Overcoming Infertility: How Married Couples Can Experience the Joy of Life

Infertility is one of the most devastating things that can happen to married couples who dreamed of starting a family together. What’s more, it is surprisingly widespread. For example, in Indonesia, approximately 11 percent of the nation’s 150 million spouses experience infertility.

The good news is that married couples who are unable to conceive have some safe, proven, and both culturally and religiously-appropriate options to experience the joy of life. These include:

●        Tuboplasty

The procedure known as tuboplasty is a type of microsurgery in which a woman’s damaged or severed fallopian tubes are repaired, or in which blockages are removed, in order to restore the capacity for conception. A leading cause of fallopian-tube dysfunction is endometriosis, which a condition resulting from the appearance of endometrial tissue outside the uterus and causing pelvic pain. While tuboplasty does not guarantee pregnancy, for most women it increases the possibility of conception within the first year to about 40-50 percent. 

IVF

●        In-Vitro Fertilization

In-vitro fertilization — or IVF for short — is a procedure in which a woman’s ova (eggs) are removed, fertilized in a laboratory with her husband’s sperm, and then returned to her uterus. The success of IVF treatment is based on multiple factors, such as the woman’s age and her pregnancy history. According to clinical research, the pregnancy rate is about 40 percent for women in their 20s, about 30 percent for women in their late 30s, and about 10 percent for women in their early-to-mid 40s.

●        Intra-family Adoption

Intra-family adoption is the legal adoption of a child by a step-parent or other relative. Not only does this allow couples to start (or continue) building their family, but it can be highly beneficial to children involved, and provide them with the love, care, and support they need to properly grow and develop.  

Which Option is Right for Your Family?

Obviously, choosing the right method to address and ideally overcome infertility is a major decision, and one that should not be done hastily or without conducting careful research. The best place to start is by talking with your physician for additional advice and guidance. It may also help to speak with other couples who have experienced options that you are considering (e.g. tuboplasty, IVF, intra-family adoption.)

Even if things seem very difficult right now, it’s important to remain positive and optimistic. With the right advice and plan, your family will be on the path to experiencing the joy of life!