Personal stories about how different couples chose to deal with infertility treatment decisions
These stories are based on information gathered from doctors and consumers. They may be helpful as you make important health decisions.
Jamie, age 33: We have been trying for awhile to have a baby on our own. Now that we've had some tests, our doctor has recommended treatments that will give us a better chance. We are much more hopeful now. We feel very good about the clinic where we will have the treatments done, and their live birth rates are above the national average.
George, age 45, and Bonita, age 40: We can't afford some of the expensive ART treatments. We have one child, and we need to think about his future needs, like college. I don't know where we would get $7,000 or maybe even $8,000 for treatment, since our insurance doesn't cover the costs. Luckily, some of the more successful treatment options for our problem are covered by our insurance. We feel fortunate about that.
Frank, age 37: We have had every possible test to try to find out why we can't get pregnant. There doesn't seem to be anything wrong. After almost 2 years, we don't have a baby yet. We know there is still a chance that we will get pregnant, and that gives us hope. Knowing that there isn't anything wrong, at least anything that the doctors can find, helps some. We've heard about the side effects of treatment, and the stress involved, and we just aren't sure that we want to put ourselves through that. We are going to try for a few more months, and then consider our treatment options.
Carole, age 29: My husband has sperm problems, so our least costly option is to use donor sperm. We are trying to decide if we want to spend the money for treatment or use it to adopt. It's a hard decision. Each of us feels differently about having a child that isn't biologically related to us, so we are talking about it a lot. We feel lucky because at least we have some options and enough time to consider them before we finally decide what's best for us.
Gail, age 36: I feel so guilty for having waited so long to try to have a baby. I can't help wondering if something I did when I was in my 20s is the reason why I can't get pregnant now. My husband really wants kids, and I feel like I'm letting him down and that he is disappointed in me. My husband has started talking about taking a break from all of this treatment. He said he doesn't like what this is doing to me emotionally and physically and thinks that a break might help. I worry that if we take a break I will feel like I am being lazy and just expecting to get pregnant without putting any work into it. But maybe it would be best, even for a couple of months. Every month just seems so precious!
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH Carrie Henley | Last Updated: August 16, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology Femi Olatunbosun, MB, FRCSC - Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine | |
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