Thanks to modern technology and medical advances, the inability to conceive or carry a child no longer closes the door to becoming a parent. When you review the many infertility options available today, it’s hard to believe that as little as 30 years ago, the only option for those who wanted to become parents but were unable to conceive on their own was adoption. When a team of doctors performed the first successful IVF in 1978, they opened the door to an array of medical procedures and other infertility options that make it possible for people who can’t conceive or carry a pregnancy to become the parents of their own child.
In fact, there are so many different medical procedures, relationships and infertility options these days, that it can be a little confusing when you start to explore them. The clinical language used by most medical providers doesn’t help matters, either – it’s easy to forget the emotions and real people involved when you’re talking about an “egg donor” and “the surrogate” and “genetic mother”. If you’re considering becoming parents with the help of IVF, a surrogate mother or other medical interventions, it’s important to explore your infertility options carefully and make the right decision based on your needs, your emotions and your circumstances.
Fertility clinics and pregnancy centers that specialize in treating infertility and assisting people to find options to become parents often offer counseling services to help prospective parents understand the many emotions that can come into play when they choose to become parents through a surrogate mother. Many also facilitate the search for a surrogate mother or egg donor, and provide prospective parents with the information they need to make important decisions regarding the many infertility options available.
Choosing the right infertility treatment center or pregnancy center can make it easier for you to make the right decisions about infertility options for your family. These suggestions can help you make this most important decision in your life.
Research online to learn all you can about the various options available to you. Depending on the route you choose to take, look for statistics about the live birth rate of the various clinics and centers you find and learn which procedures are offered at each center.
Be sure to talk to both your doctor and any infertility specialists about the effect that your age may have on your choice of infertility options. For example, in some cases, the genetic mother is the egg donor for eggs which are implanted in the surrogate. The age of the mother can have a serious effect on the chances for a successful implantation.
Visit the facilities you are considering. An in-person visit is the only way to get a real “feel” for the facility and staff. Talk to the staff, counselors and doctors and evaluate your comfort with their responses. The more comfortable you are with the whole procedure, the less likely it is that you’ll have issues or regrets later.
When faced with making a choice among the many infertility options available for today’s prospective parents, the best choice is always to learn as much as you can before making a decision. Research your options, both medical and social, and choose a center that supports your values and your decisions.
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