You Can Help

Think about this...

1.  Infertility affects 7.3 million people in the United States.

2.  With a normal functioning reproductive system, couples between the ages of 29 and 33 have a 20-25% chance of conceiving in any given month.  That percentage is greatly decreased with age and when reproductive deficiencies are introduced.

3.  65% of the couples who seek out medical intervention for their infertility issues end up giving birth.

That's a pretty fascinating testament to the marvels of reproductive science.  

It provides George and me with such hope that while my body may not be able to fascilitate the miracle of conception, gestation, and birth alone, there is a doctor, a nurse, and an embryologist prepared to help make my dreams come true. 

Unfortunately, this chance celebration comes with a very hefty price tag.  

Did you know the average cost for an In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is $13,000?  Average.  Insane, right?  That is a wallet shriveling price tag that knocks the option of IVF out of reach for millions of couples - for millions of people who only want help growing their families.  And bittersweetly, IVF is the mack daddy, come hell or high water, last train to Memphis procedure required for many childless couples to reproduce. 

I know many couples who have signed over their life's savings without hesitation for the roughly 30% increased chance of becoming pregnant and having their own child.  And, if worse came to worse, I can't say for sure that we wouldn't do the same.  

While there are a few progressive states that assist with infertility costs, they are a rare exception.  Most infertility treatments are paid for out of pocket, creating a burden in the nest egg before you've even got a baby in the nest.  It is my hope, that with the introduction of a new bill designed to create tax credits for out-of-pocket infertility expenses, many couples, like us, will have help.

This new bill was introduced to the United States Senate by Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (NY).  This bill, appropriately called the Family Act of 2011, S 965, could be the answer to so many reproductive financial decision making contributors for infertile men and women in the United States.  

How can you help?

Please write to your state Senators asking them to co-sponsor the Family Act of 2011, S 965.  Resolve, The National Infertility Association has made this super duper simple.  Click HERE and you will be directed to a form e-mail that takes less than two minutes to complete.  You will be provided the option to personalize your letter too.  Maybe you have struggled to get pregnant?  Maybe your cousin has?  Maybe your neighbor's grandson?   It doesn't matter.  Your story - your letter will help make a difference, no matter how closely affected you've been.

We ask for these letters to flood the offices of our United States Senators.  I ask for me.  For my husband.  For my friends.  I ask for every infertile couple who currently struggles and will struggle to build a family.

Maybe this round of Clomid will work for us?  Maybe we'll get pregnant on a spontaneous trip to the beach? Maybe we'll adopt?  Or maybe we'll explore IVF?  But no matter, your letter will help someone.  And that's cool, right?

*statistics obtained from Resolve.